Engineer Rules Out Collapse Risk for Playa del Carmen Overpasses Despite Damage

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Visible deterioration on parts of the overpasses on Playa del Carmen Boulevard does not currently pose a collapse risk, but the structures need routine maintenance, a member of the Riviera Maya College of Engineers said.

Sergio Camas Sumuano said some sections of the overpasses show concrete deterioration and wear that should be addressed, particularly on the underside of the vehicle passages. The damage, he said, should be reviewed and repaired as part of the conservation any infrastructure requires when it is permanently exposed to outdoor conditions.

“We are in a coastal area, so yes, it affects us,” Camas said. “The bridges need maintenance, paint, and if there is any issue to repair, it has to be handled.”

The engineer said Playa del Carmen’s coastal environmental conditions require regular attention to this type of infrastructure, just as with any other construction exposed to humidity and the local climate. He noted that although work has been carried out on the road surface over the years, other bridge components also need attention.

Camas called for an inspection of an area beneath one of the bridges where heavy vehicles pass very close to structural elements. He said trucks and trailers sometimes even scrape against some parts when making certain maneuvers, and that the area is also used by pedestrians.

Regarding heavy vehicle traffic, he said the characteristics and loads of each vehicle should be taken into account. Camas mentioned the Arco Vial as one of the roadways used for mobility in the city, but said this road is currently heavily congested, making it necessary to continue analyzing alternatives to speed up travel.

He reiterated the need to continue carrying out preservation work on the boulevard bridges and to repair deterioration as it appears so that this road infrastructure can be maintained.