Rio Ameca Bridge COLLAPSES in PV!!!! Can not cross into Puerto Vallarta! 8/31/10

[**Kat**]

My photographer just linked me to this! I thought it would be important information to pass along

 

 

http://www.pvpulse.com/en/puerto-vallarta-news/ameca-bridge-collapses

 

 

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowTopic-g150793-i46-k3895847-Rio_Ameca_Bridge_collapses-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast.html

 

*** Governor Emilio Gonzalez issued a statement saying that the south-bound bridge will be re-opened for transportation for light passage (Read more below) ***

** Free maritime transportation offered by Vallarta Adventures from Paradise Village Marina to the Maritime Terminal API today (read below) **

The north-bound bridge over the Ameca River collapsed last night at 2:30 A.M. Nayarit's Governor Ney Gonzalez confirmed via Facebook that the bridge collapsed due to intense currents. Reports state that no traffic is moving in either direction. 

At approximately 2:30 A.M. on August 31, the north-bound (old) Ameca bridge that connects Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit collapsed. It is reported that about 60 meters (totaling two sections) of the bridge fell into the current of the river last night. Minutes later, local authorities decided to stop circulation on both bridges. At the scene are military personnel, civil protection,the  fire department, municipal police, the red cross, and the marines.

Authorities are at the scene searching for missing persons. Two people were rescued, three cars are reported fallen, and one family is still missing.  Civil Protection reports that it was the tensors that failed. Eyewitnesses say that no one can cross the bridge, not even by foot. Civil protection personnel at the scene commented that the south-bound bridge is currently closed to vehicles and pedestrians and that this is expected to last several hours, and possibly all day. People traveling north from Puerto Vallarta or south from Riviera Nayarit should postpone their trip or take a water taxi. Water taxis are available at the Nuevo Vallarta Marina , Paradise Marina, and Riviera Nayarit Marina at La Cruz. 

At 4:30 A.M., local authorities closed traffic on the south-bound  Ameca bridge to Puerto Vallarta, and they are awaiting specialized personnel from the SCT to evaluate the new bridge (which is downriver from the collapsed bridge) for safety. Federal and state police in Compostela are asking south-bound traffic on Highway 200 to turn back to avoid traffic problems. 

Jalisco's Governor Emilio Gonzalez Marquez arrived in Puerto Vallarta this morning and issued a statement in which he mentioned that they have implemented an "air bridge" of helicopters that are available to get people back and forth to hospitals for medical emergencies. The governor also mentioned that two other bridges in the area of Las Palmas, Jalisco had also collapsed last night. 

Centro Universitario de la Costa's main meteorologist said that last night, the University recorded high levels of rainfall. He mentioned that there are unconfirmed reports from the region of San Juan de Abajo of extremely high levels of rain last night. In his words, the 178.5 mm of rain was "comparable to one month of rain in one night."

*** Governor Emilio Gonzalez issued a statement saying that the south-bound bridge will be re-opened for transportation for light passage. Taxis and passenger cars only. No heavy trucks allowed. No specifics as to when the bridge will be reopened have been issued yet. *** 

 

**Free maritime transportation is being offered by Vallarta Adventures from the Paradise Village Marina to the main maritime port API today. The schedule is as follows:

11:00 am from Paradise Village Marina to main Maritime Terminal API in Puerto Vallarta (45 mins approx).

12:00 pm from API to Paradise Village Marina.

1:00 P.M. from the Paradise Village Marina to API.

2:00 P.M. from API to the Paradise Village Marina.

3:00 P.M. from the Paradise Village Marina to API.

4:00 P.M. from API to the Paradise Village Marina.

5:00 P.M. from the Paradise Village Marina to API.

6:00 P.M. from API to the Paradise Village Marina.

[dcjackie]

Yep this is a huge problem.  Folks will have difficulty getting in and out of Nuevo Vallarta.  My friend owns a Panga in Nuevo, and she's been shuttling people by water taxi to get to the airport.

[**Kat**]

I know! Crazy huh! I couldnt believe it when I saw this news!

[nessa0308]

I talked to Kelley (WC) yesterday about it and she said to plan for about 1 hour from Bucerias to PV.  That's a bummer since it's only 10 miles away (at least to the airport).  O'well......I'm not letting anything get in the way of my special day on November 3, 2010.   If I have to swim from Bucerias to Las Caletas....I'm getting there!

[**Kat**]

I am sure that everything will go well!!

[wnmrtn8]

Wow that's so scary.

[adcarter41]

I heard about this too. Pretty crazy.