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Paraguay: Residents Close Deteriorating Bridge Over Fears of Collapse
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Energy & Infrastructure

Paraguay: Residents Close Deteriorating Bridge Over Fears of Collapse

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Residents of Capellán, Paraguay, have closed an old bridge connecting Tebicuary and Coronel Martínez due to its dangerous structural deterioration.
  • They claim authorities ignored their warnings about the bridge's condition, which has worsened with recent heavy rains and river flooding.
  • The community has repeatedly requested a new bridge, but officials cited the new highway and a nearby bridge as making it unnecessary.

Residents of the Capellán community have taken matters into their own hands, closing an old bridge that connects Tebicuary and Coronel Martínez in Paraguay. The preventative measure comes after they discovered the structure is in an imminent state of collapse, a situation exacerbated by the recent flooding of the Tebicuary River.

It's about to fall. It's practically held up by a single beam.

— Albino ÁvalosDescribing the dangerous structural state of the bridge.

Locals have placed obstacles to block both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, fearing a tragedy if the bridge is used. Albino Ávalos, a resident, described the dire state of the bridge, noting that a main beam is broken, leaving one section precariously suspended. "It's about to fall. It's practically held up by a single beam," he warned, adding that the strong river current is accelerating the decay.

Ávalos stated that the community had alerted the municipal governments of Coronel Martínez and Tebicuary, even providing videos as evidence. However, he expressed disappointment with the lack of response. "I sent the videos to the mayor of Coronel Martínez, but he didn't pay attention. I call him and he doesn't answer," he denounced.

We ourselves closed the bridge because it is very dangerous. The water keeps rising and the current is very strong.

— Albino ÁvalosExplaining the community's decision to block access to the bridge.

While municipal authorities previously provided minor repairs, such as replacing wooden planks, the current damage affects the main structure, requiring more substantial intervention. Residents have long called for a new metal or concrete bridge. However, officials reportedly deemed such a project unnecessary following the completion of a new section of Route PY10 and a bridge over the Tebicuary River located about 650 meters away.

I sent the videos to the mayor of Coronel Martínez, but he didn't pay attention. I call him and he doesn't answer.

— Albino ÁvalosExpressing frustration over the lack of official response to the bridge's condition.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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