Bridge Collapse in Puerto Vallarta

[gregkn]

Obviously, this will affect only people who will be in the area over the next few weeks who want to go to Nuevo Vallarta or Bucerias......I´m sure they will have 2 way traffic on the southbound bridge once it is certified as safe.

 

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This report is from PV Pulse....

 

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. 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.

 

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We have had heavy rains here lately and the rivers have been at very high levels. Hopefully, normal service will resume sooner than later.

[bobnsofi]

OK, that means that cruisers planning on heading north to Nuevo Vallarta, and the dolphins, may be out of luck. The good news is that there are lots and LOTS of great things to see and do south of the cruise terminal in beautiful Puerto Vallarta (in the rain)

 

Puerto Vallarta Weather => http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/MXJO0047

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[gregkn]

Adventures have the capability of ferrying people to Nuevo Vallarta....anyway, here´s the latest

 

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At 4 pm on Tuesday, August 31, the southbound Ameca River Bridge is open to 2 way traffic for personal vehicles and possibly local buses, although I'm not sure (this was said to be the plan but no one has reported buses on the bridge yet).

 

Governor Ney Gonzalez Sanchez of Nayarit is now saying that bus passengers will be given free transport over the bridges in taxis or small cars to be able to continue their bus trips. There are being established drop-off and pick-up points on both sides of the bridge to facilitate this exchange.

 

The slide on the Mascota road is cleared and the road is open and plans are in the works for a temporary bridge of some sort on the northbound bridge. Engineers are working on it.

 

The bomberos worked heroically through the night in rescue efforts for the people who fell with the bridge. Vallarta Adventures provided a great service with their free ferry boat transport for those stranded.

 

By morning all the local news services will probably be back online (most were swamped off line by too many viewers the way we get bumped off occasionally) and there should be lots of good pictures.

 

One person, a passenger in a taxi that went into the river, is presumed to be dead. Another truck with an unknown number of passengers is still missing.

 

It appears that 100 million pesos have been authorized for the bridge repair.

 

There is talk of building a temporary bridge to replace the collapsed one. News reports say that this could happen in a few days, but that seems a little optimistic of an estimate.

 

The mayor of Nayarit said that buses may be allowed to cross sometime tomorrow.

 

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I love the last sentence.....if that´s the case, I wouldn´t cross on roller blades......

 

some pictures here

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/CAROLINA-GOMEZ-AGUINAGA/116733888347673?v=wall#!/pages/CAROLINA-GOMEZ-AGUINAGA/116733888347673

[crAZytwinmomma]

please keep us updated!

 

How much is a water taxi to get from the Carnival port to the Vallarta Adventures Dolphin facility? Is it possible? Is it practical?

 

We may cancel our dolphin adventure in October...

[gregkn]

There´s no need to cancel anything. You´ll get there easily and the dolphin swim is amazing. Don´t worry.....have fun.

[Ine]

I was e-mailed and informed that the other bridge (southbound) is open for traffic. After checking it of course, but this bridge a newer then the collapsed one. It is however now handling 2-way traffic.

Trucks arenot (yet?) allowed to use it.

Be prepared for traffic delays however.

[NukeTim]

Now that I see it will probably be possible to do the dolphin / sea lion swim, what would be the water conditions at the end of December. Will the water be too cold to enjoy the swim?