In the work to be developed, a wide range of the most qualified technicians in the country in the field of geotechnics, structural engineering and hydraulics have previously participated in the studies carried out.
SANTO DOMINGO– Although the details of its development are still being finalized, the Minister of Public Works, Deligne Ascención, said yesterday that the work to definitively correct the flaws in the overpass on Avenida 27 de Febrero would cost around 400 million pesos, and that the government will spare no effort in extending this work to the points that are required, as indicated by the commission set up for this purpose, which is chaired by the geologist Osiris de León.
The official announced yesterday, Tuesday, the actions that his department will take for the final and definitive solution to the structural problems detected in the placement of the side walls of the underpass at 27 de Febrero Avenue with Máximo Gómez, which caused the tragedy of last November 18, leaving nine dead and for which it has been closed to vehicular traffic in the East-West direction.
He explained the details of the actions that will be carried out, the work of which is projected to take place in three months and will be in charge of Constructora Estrella, according to the minister's information.
“After the technical studies carried out, supported by a wide range of qualified technicians in the fields of geotechnics, structural engineering and hydraulics, the work of placing the slabs, which did not fail, will begin, as well as the placement of anchor bolts to the rock. “It is a limestone rock with a good formation, and the fact that the rock did not fail supports this statement that the engineer Osiris de León made more than 20 years ago,” Ascención explained at a press conference held at the site.
He stated that all work activities will be carried out within a period of no more than 12 weeks, due to the logistics of maintaining vehicular traffic in the southern part of the overpass.
He also stated that work will be carried out at night, but that normal operations will continue in the collapsed section. Work on the section currently open to traffic will be done at night to avoid disrupting traffic on that road, given the importance of this point for traffic flow in the National District.
He emphasized that a wide range of the country's most qualified technicians in geotechnical, structural, and hydraulic engineering have previously participated in the studies carried out for the work to be developed.
He emphasized that the walls or partitions to be placed will be anchored to the rock, and a series of drainage lines will be installed to relieve the hydrostatic pressure that could occur in extraordinary events, such as the one that happened on Saturday, November 18, when several slabs collapsed due to the pressure of rainwater.
He said that a beam will be placed at the base of the walls and a beam at the end that will serve to tie all these elements together and make a monolithic structure in which transverse beams will also be placed, that is, beams that will cross from one end to the other to produce confinement.
“In addition to what I have mentioned, the anchors, the beams at the base of the wall and this crowning beam place three structural elements that can withstand not only hydrostatic pressure, but also, in the crowning part that is flush with the road, any vehicle impact, but also any seismic movement that might occur,” he said.
The Minister of Public Works stated that Constructora Estrella will carry out the final and definitive solution to the original problems that arose from the placement of the side walls of this overpass at 27 de Febrero and Máximo Gómez.
In addition to this, a beam will be placed at the base of the wall and a beam at the end which will serve to tie all these elements together and make a monolithic structure in which transverse beams will be placed that will cross from one end to the other to produce confinement.
“In addition to what I have indicated, the beams at the base of the walls and these crowning beams place three structural elements that can withstand not only hydrostatic pressure, but also, in the crowning part that is flush with the road, any vehicle impact, and also be prepared for any seismic movement that may occur.”.
Ascención mentioned that there are other overpasses, not with such critical conditions as the one on 27 de Febrero, which contain a large amount of water and which, due to a drainage interruption, end up at this point.
“But we will also put in place the necessary reinforcements to provide these works with sufficient guarantees, so that citizens do not find themselves in a state of anxiety in the face of events like the one that happened on November 18,” he stated.
Ascención said that Public Works has been working not only on routine maintenance, but that this type of infrastructure involves maintenance such as checking the drainage system, cleaning storm drains, that is, minor things.
“What we are doing is a structural intervention, which is what failed. It wasn't a maintenance issue, but rather an initial structural failure because, as experts have pointed out, a series of elements were not considered when designing and building this type of wall.”.
He referred to works and interventions carried out, and in this regard cited the Pontón bridge, at the entrance of La Vega, “which thanks to a timely intervention there did not produce regrettable events, such as those that Constructora Estrella has just finished on Las Carreras Avenue, in Santiago, where a wall collapsed endangering dozens of families in those areas, and as we have just resolved also in two important points, such as the Camú bridge and the Cangrejos bridge.
He stated that they will continue with projects such as the Mauricio Báez bridge, repairs and interventions on the Duarte bridge and in other areas as the commission appointed by the President of the Republic, headed by Osiris de León along with Reyes Madera and other institutions, provides us with a report indicating the necessary infrastructure projects that require direct intervention in addition to those already completed by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC).
Geologist Osoris de León said he agrees with Minister Ascención's statements that the failure was not due to a lack of maintenance. He noted that the structure lacked beams, which had been suggested to the builders, and that these will now be installed, "guaranteeing a sufficiently robust structure to withstand any weather event.".
The Minister of Public Works was accompanied by the Vice Ministers Roberto Herrera and Ángel Tejeda, and also present were the contractor Manuel Estrella, the geologist Osiris de León, among others.
