The landslide registered on the Pan-American highway of the Rosas sector, in Colombian territory, begins to generate the first havoc in the travelers who visited the border during the first days of the year.
More than 2,000 travelers have had to extend their stay and stay in the bus terminals of Pasto and Ipiales due to the difficulty in returning to their destinations.
The landslide registered last Monday 9 on the Pan-American highway in the Rosas sector, department (province) of Cauca, in Colombian territory, leaves the border department of Nariño isolated, in front of Carchi.
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This road that connects with the Rumichaca international bridge and communicates with Ecuador was blocked by land, which stopped the passage of vehicles.
The authorities of the National Institute of Roads of Colombia warn that the suspension of vehicular traffic could be extended between four and six months until they manage to build a provisional variant, due to the clogging that erased the road.
This Wednesday the 11th, twelve Colombian license plate buses with passengers who arrived at the two border cities to enjoy the Black and White carnival had to wait until dawn today to continue with their routes.
The vehicles were parked on the Rumichaca international bridge for more than six hours until they received the authorization that allowed them to drive on Ecuadorian highways to return to various Colombian cities via the Tulcán-Julio Andrade-La Bonita-Lago Agrio-San Miguel International Bridge -La Hormiga-Mocoa (Colombia).
The desperation was evident in the tourists who were to return on January 10, but due to the phenomenon they had to forcibly extend the tour for two more days. Carmenza Aicardi, from Cali, stated that they no longer had money and this Wednesday they no longer had lunch because the budget ran out.
After several efforts at the consulates of Ecuador and Colombia, more than 500 tourists left in the aforementioned transport units after 03:00. In a caravan to Tulcán, the buses took the route that goes to the San Miguel international bridge, on the Sucumbíos – Putumayo border.
Temporary route while the emergency lasts
A group of motorcyclists who arrived at 11:00 from Medellín commented that the damage in Rosas is of great magnitude, which is why they had to use a detour and uncovered section to overcome the fault.
Alejandro Botero assured that this road is narrow and dangerous, it is not accessible and requires more than two hours of travel. However, this would be the only alternative to connect again with the Pan-American highway that goes to the Colombian-Ecuadorian border.
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The motorcyclists will tour the northern part of Ecuador for eight days and will return via Lago Agrio to the Colombian capital.
More than 2,000 motorcyclists have entered the country from Colombian territory in recent days, as tourism and adventure, a hobby that is notorious during each end and beginning of the year.
They will choose to use this artery that leads through the Ecuadorian Oriente to the international bridge over the San Miguel River.
Stéfano Villacís, undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works of the northern zone, explained that in the face of the road emergency in the neighboring country, Colombian vehicles will temporarily enter or return to their territory through the eastern sector of Ecuador.
The Colombian authorities have exceptionally requested authorization for the temporary use of the Rumichaca-Tulcán-Julio Andrade-Nueva Loja-International Bridge over the San Miguel River route, to enter Ecuadorian territory through the San Miguel border crossing and exit through the Rumichaca international bridge.
Based on this request, the MTOP informed that there are restrictions for vehicular circulation in the section Julio Andrade-La Bonita-Lumbaqui (RVE E10). The road, due to its physical condition, has several critical points to consider. For this reason, they recommend driving with caution due to constant landslides and loss of road.
Landslide on the San Lorenzo-Ibarra highway interrupts the return of national and foreign tourists to their destinations after the holiday
The road is authorized for all types of traffic of less than 20 tons. There is a restriction on the El Oso bridge, where there is a Bailey bridge for a maximum weight of 18 tons of cargo.
In addition, travelers should be careful, especially in the winter season, since the Siete Veces and La Alegría ravines increase their flow and create inconveniences for circulation.
Visibility in the Santa Bárbara parish decreases at night. The permanent presence of fog makes the march of vehicles slower and more careful.
This route will also be used by trucks that move international cargo (exports and imports) between the two nations, the crew members having to take the recommendations into account.
On the Rumichaca international bridge, the traffic flow to Colombia is less. On the other hand, the bridge that receives vehicles going to Ecuador has a large influx of cars and trucks. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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