Ibarra
In the 56 communities of the provinces of Carchi, Imbabura and Esmeraldas, where approximately 40,000 inhabitants live, there is expectation before the announcement of the renovation of the Ibarra-San Lorenzo road, at the height of El Guadual, where landslides continue to obstruct traffic vehicular
Fernando Rea, coordinator of the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works (MTOP) of Zone 1, confirmed that there are 4 million dollars to definitively solve mobility problems in this sector.
Landslides hinder vehicular traffic on the Ibarra-San Lorenzo highway; travelers have an alternate route
The official indicated that as a result of the landslides that occurred in December of the previous year, which forced the closure of the road at km 114 due to the fall of stone material on the road, he ordered the studies with which a definitive solution is expected.
This section has become a risk for drivers and occupants who travel through this corridor that joins the northern Sierra with the Coast. The way out –said the technician- is the construction of a metal bridge or bailey and the stabilization of the slopes in El Guadual.
The pipeline will be built in front of the current road, 25 m away, a distance that would avoid endangering frequent users, freeing this infrastructure from future landslides that would force the closure of this busy road.
The MTOP defines the studies and budget for the execution of these two works, the bridge will have a length of 80 meters and stability of the slope will be sought with the implementation of dynamic barriers.
The project also includes drainage and access road to the metal viaduct. The community leaders indicated that on May 4 they expect concrete answers about the start date of the work.
Carlos Viteri, president of the Parish Board of La Carolina, in Imbabura, explained that Arturo Fuertes, governor of that province, reported that there is a commitment to sign the contract with the construction company on May 4 to start the work, which would last eight months.
The parish authority announced that the communities have warned that if there are no workers on May 4, they will take the E 24, in the Y between Salinas and the E 35 to put pressure.
A backhoe was trapped by stone material
The leader commented that despite the seriousness of the situation, landslides have advantageously not claimed lives, but five accidents have been recorded in these four months.
Several accidents have been recorded due to the collapse of stone material from the upper part at km 114. One person died when trying to cross the mounds of earth.
One lane of the Ibarra-San Lorenzo road has been enabled for light traffic; for heavy cars it is dangerous, because of rocks and water that fall from the mountain
In contrast, on March 22, in San Pedro, a backhoe that was carrying out cleanup work was half buried, but the driver escaped unharmed.
Armando Cadena, president of the Decentralized Autonomous Government of Jijón and Caamaño, in Carchi, stated that in a meeting held in Quito with Minister Marcelo Cabrera, he promised to allocate the corresponding economic funds. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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