A Cuban motorist alerted on social media about the severe structural deterioration of an unfinished bridge located on the National Highway, near the café bar La Majagua, close to the border between the provinces of Villa Clara and Cienfuegos.
The bridge, although it is not in operation and does not have direct vehicle traffic, poses an imminent risk for those traveling along the highway due to the gradual detachment of parts of its structure, as shown in a video recorded by the complainant.
“Over there is the Ifraín Alfonso,” the driver pointed out, indicating a road next to the bridge, which would presumably be a future highway to the central (now abandoned 'Ifraín Alfonso Liriano') in Villa Clara. The video was shared on the Facebook account San Nicolás de Bari "No + Comunismo".
While recording under the bridge, the motorist pointed out the café-bar La Majagua, located just a few meters from the bridge, as well as the corroded structure of the bridge beams, warning of disastrous consequences if a collapse were to occur just as a vehicle passes through that point on the National Highway at high speeds.
Corroded and poorly maintained structure
The shared images clearly show how the concrete of the bridge has given way in several sections, exposing the rusted steel framework, which indicates significant internal corrosion and a complete lack of preventive maintenance.
The bridge is part of a planned but never completed structure, and it currently remains abandoned, despite being situated over an active and heavily trafficked road, which increases the level of danger for drivers crossing that area daily.
Repeated citizen complaints
This new case adds to a series of complaints regarding the poor condition of bridges in Cuba, which have been reported by citizens in various parts of the country.
In December 2024, residents of Havana reported the deterioration of the bridge over the Almendares River in Vedado,
In May of that year, a vehicle fell from a bridge at kilometer 69 of the National Highway in Nueva Paz, due to an unmarked speed bump. Drivers have noted that this stretch has been the scene of multiple similar accidents.
In April, the critical condition of a bridge on the Baracoa-Moa highway was reported, where large potholes and a lack of signage endanger drivers. A few days earlier, CiberCuba published a note about the deterioration of the Versalles railway bridge in the city of Matanzas, whose condition also raised concern among the residents.
Despite these complaints, the Cuban authorities have shown a limited response, which increases the risk of accidents and highlights the urgent need for maintenance and repair of the road infrastructure in the country.
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