Guatemala's Corozal bridge nears completion, set to be country's first extradosed structure

The Corozal bridge construction, a vital project on Guatemala's CA-9 Norte highway, is nearing completion with 66.97% physical progress. Officials anticipate the work could conclude by the end of December, though finalization hinges on securing rights-of-way for one of the access points.

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What we are doing currently is bringing the bridge voussoirs closer together. This type of bridge is built in a balanced manner. So, one voussoir is built on one side, another on the other, and they are brought together until they meet in the center. At this moment, it is practically finished.

This infrastructure project involves building a parallel bridge over the Agua Caliente River, crucial for expanding this section of the Atlantic route to four lanes. This corridor is a primary artery for goods transport and mobility between the metropolitan area and the country's northeast.

Grupo Muratori, S.A., the construction firm, is currently focused on forming the bridge deck. This involves constructing segments, known as voussoirs, which will eventually create the roadway. "What we are doing currently is bringing the bridge voussoirs closer together. This type of bridge is built in a balanced manner. So, one voussoir is built on one side, another on the other, and they are brought together until they meet in the center. At this moment, it is practically finished," explained Foscolo Liano, the company's general manager.

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We have an approximate calculation to finish by the end of the year.

Once this stage is complete, remaining tasks include tensioning cables, installing railings, sidewalks, and other complementary elements. Liano noted that while the company aims for a December completion, the schedule depends on the full access to one side of the bridge. "We have an approximate calculation to finish by the end of the year," he commented.

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The factor that could delay the work is the access to the bridge. Expropriations must be made, which the Ministry of Communications is handling, to leave the lanes clear.

Upon its completion, the Corozal bridge will be Guatemala's first extradosed bridge. This design merges characteristics of cable-stayed and beam bridges, using support cables connected to shorter pylons than conventional bridges. Liano stated this technology, developed in Japan in the 1990s, is recommended for spans between 100 and 250 meters, with the Corozal bridge measuring 180 meters.

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Originally it was built in Japan and has spread throughout the world because it is a very effective system. It is recommended for bridges with spans between 100 and 250 meters. Our bridge is 180 meters.