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MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jan 26, 2018

Cuota Durango - Mazatlan - CLOSED Bridge Damage

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Mexico News Daily | Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Early estimates predict that repairs to a bridge on the Mazatlán-Durango highway will require at least 45 days to complete.

A tanker truck carrying diesel fuel overturned on the El Carrizo suspension bridge last Friday, spilling 34,000 liters of fuel and causing a fire that severely damaged the structure, which has been closed to all traffic.

The fire burned for about eight hours and reached temperatures of 200 C, according to one estimate, damaging at least 120 square meters of the surface.

The state representative of the federal Secretariat of Communications and Transportation reported that the concrete and rebar sustained severe structural damage on a 70-meter-long stretch.

Héctor García Fox said the fire did not affect the bridge’s suspension structure.

A full assessment of the structural damage is expected to take 10 days to complete.

The 217-meter-long bridge is a key transportation link between the tourist destination of Mazatlán and the Mexico-United States border.

But Mazatlán’s possible loss is Concordia’s gain. Communities in the Sinaloa municipality that are on the detour route for bridge traffic — most notably El Palmito — are enjoying a small boom.

The fire also happened to coincide with the celebrations of the 453rd anniversary of the foundation of the city of Concordia, creating a positive impact for the local tourism industry, with the hotel occupancy rate at 100%.

The El Carrizo bridge, which opened in 2013, is the third highest bridge in Mexico at 198 meters, while its central tower is the second tallest bridge structure in North America at 226 meters. It is one meter higher than Mexico City’s Torre Mayor.

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Opinion - Personally I would not hold my breath about the 45-day estimate. Who writes this stuff? The concrete demands at least 30-days to cure in good weather. February is not going to bring good weather. What a shame. This is going to ruin plans for many people and damage Mazatlan's economy.

10 Replies

  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2018
    THE LATEST GOSSIP

    Bridge repairs could take seven months
    But the bridge on the Durango-Mazatlán freeway could be partially opened by Easter
    Mexico News Daily | Tuesday, January 30, 2018

    Early estimates were that a bridge on the freeway connecting the cities of Mazatlán and Durango would reopen within 45 days after it was damaged by a fire January 19.

    But transportation authorities now say it will be more like seven months due to the “considerable” damage sustained by the structure after a fuel tanker truck rolled over, spilling its contents and catching fire.

    The effect on the resort town of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, is already being felt.

    Motorists must now take a detour around the bridge, which extends their travel time. Many are believed to have been dissuaded from traveling as a result, said the president of the Durango Council of Young Entrepreneurs (CEJ).

    The flow of tourists from Durango to Mazatlán has dropped to very low levels, said Francisco Rueda Castañeda.

    He also said that at least three member firms have canceled their plans to participate in the upcoming Mazatlán carnival, which starts in just over a week.

    However, some relief can be expected before Holy Week, which falls in the last week of March this year. A Communications and Transportation Secretariat (SCT) representative told business leaders today in Mazatlán that one side of the bridge would be ready to open for two-way traffic before the Easter holiday period.

    Meanwhile, tourism officials in both Sinaloa and Durango are working at getting the message out that the highway is not closed, and that motorists must take a detour around a stretch of the road before rejoining it.

    Opened in 2013, the superhighway, as it is called, has become an important link for Mazatlán, reducing driving time from the city of Durango by about two hours.

    But business leaders say the free road has never been 100% operational.

    The Durango chapters of the Mexican Employers’ Federation (Coparmex) and the restaurant industry association Canirac claim the highway has always been in need of repair, with not only potholes but structural damage as well.

    The industry leaders — and the SCT — also objected to a hike this month in the toll. The round trip cost rose to 1,112 pesos (almost US $60), an 11% increase. Federal transportation officials in Durango last week called on Capufe, the federal highways agency, to reconsider the increase.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Jan 27, 2018
    IT AIN'T YOU OR YOUR RIG

    It's the buses and long trucks cutting corners or the 80 tons of near scrap metal following that has me worried. The first time I descended a flatbed 5 ton truck rear-ended a bus. Injuries. The second time was with that screeching nightmare following me, and a vehicle of some kind that went off the edge. We were stopped for almost an hour.

    And people gripe about the Campostela / Las Varas grade...

    Sheesh...
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Jan 27, 2018
    Agree, that drive (Espinazo del Diablo) is technical but beautiful. No problem for those used to mountain driving.

    Not one I would recommend for a flatlander driving their first heavy vehicle.
  • qtla9111's avatar
    qtla9111
    Nomad
    Jan 26, 2018
    Sorry, I stick with “the most scenic route in Mexico” and BTW, not dangerous if one is a good driver.

    If you haven't tried the route, it's a must see. I have never understood the naysayers regarding the Espinazo del Diablo.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2018
    Trucks and buses don't grow wings...

    The "deserted" libre, will no longer have that problem. It'll be anything but deserted. Maybe the surface of the road is better but the curves are no less sharp and the grades are no less steep than they were thirty years ago.

    The last time I descended that highway Mex 40 with Quicksilver, there was a loaded traylor descending behind me. Gut wrenching squalling shuddering brake noises do not make for pleasant driving -- so I crossed that route off my list forever. Uphill is a different story. 10 mph trucks may make it slow but not deadly.
  • qtla9111's avatar
    qtla9111
    Nomad
    Jan 26, 2018
    We took the autopista to Mazatlan a few years ago. Cool project but the libre is in much better condition, better views and the best part is the Espinazo del Diablo. We've know taken the libre three times. Hardly ever see an semis on the road. Great boondocking spots too!
  • Wm_Elliot's avatar
    Wm_Elliot
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2018
    The last two years, touring on a motorcycle I was astounded at how deserted the libre was. There was hardly any traffic - all of it taking the toll road instead. The road surface was great - pine needles covered the fog line area of the road indicating little traffic. All the roadside businesses were shuttered - even the narrow crossing where people used to stop to take pictures.
    If there was one negative about the libre it was that oncoming traffic occasionally gambled that they could take the curves faster by using part of the other lane. We just squeezed by a military vehicle that was fully in our lane two years ago.
    The Libre must be one of the top motorcycle roads in North America. The cuota is faster, safer, and also antiseptic whereas the libre is an adventure.
    Before the Cuota opened we traversed the libre with a 26' travel trailer 8 times. After thousands of miles of monotonous interstates, the libre was always a pleasant change.
    We'll be doing it again this March with a lot of company it looks like.

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