Panamanian and US specialists have begun assessing the condition of the Bridge of the Americas, which was damaged by an explosion and fire on Monday, April 6. The incident was caused by the explosion of three tankers under the bridge. The technical inspection, which began on Friday, April 10, aims to determine the structural integrity of the bridge. The Ministry of Public Works (MOP), along with a team of US Army engineers, is conducting a comprehensive structural evaluation of the Bridge of the Americas, a key infrastructure used by at least 65,000 vehicles daily. This new inspection phase includes on-site analysis, sample collection, and laboratory testing to determine if the heat from the fire affected the properties of the steel and concrete. Following an initial visual inspection, the MOP reported no severe structural damage. As a precautionary measure, vehicles weighing up to 10 tons have been allowed to cross since last Tuesday. Engineers emphasize the need for in-depth pathological studies, which could take three to six months and include laboratory tests and computer simulations. Experts point out that the main issue is not just the recent event but the lack of a sustained maintenance system. They call for a shift to a management model similar to international standards, where maintenance is permanent, monitored, and highly detailed. In Panama, there is a lack of consistent application of maintenance to all state infrastructure. It is noted that after the transfer of the bridge to Panama in 1979, maintenance schemes weakened, leading to the progressive deterioration of the structure. A key problem is the lack of technical continuity within the MOP due to personnel changes every five years, which prevents long-term planning.
