A semi-trailer truck hauling a backhoe destroyed a pedestrian bridge over the Carretera Central highway in Lima yesterday morning.
The loaded truck exceeded the 16-feet height limit for traveling on the Carretera Central highway when it collided with a pedestrian bridge in the eastern district of Ate.
The driver, who does not have a license to transport heavy machinery, had 42 outstanding tickets worth over $3,000 at the time of the accident.
“The truck drivers know there is little possibility of being punished,” said transportation expert Lino de la Barrera in citing the slow and inconsistent prosecution of violations by Lima’s Supervisory of Transportation of People, Cargo and Merchandise (SUTRAN).
Lima city officials also said that the bridge did not have a required sign indicating its height, a responsibility required of the Ate district.
The destruction halted eastbound traffic on the major thoroughfare for over seven hours.
The city of Lima has announced it will build a provisional bridge on Friday.
Sources
Carretera Central: así terminó el puente peatonal tras derrumbe (El Comercio)
Carretera Central: instalarán puente provisional este viernes (El Comercio)
Ate: tráiler derrumbó puente peatonal en la Carretera Central (El Comercio)
Carretera Central fue reabierta en Ate luego de más de 7 horas (El Comercio)
Carretera Central: chofer de camión tiene 42 papeletas (El Comercio)