In an interview with SIC Notícias, the sub-regional commander of Coimbra Civil Protection, Carlos Luís Tavares, clarified that the part of the section that collapsed “it was between where the bridge meets the embankment”.
Part of the A1 section, in Coimbra, near the area where a dike collapsed this Wednesday afternoon. The highway was already closed in that segment due to the risk caused by rising waters.
In an interview with SIC Notícias’ Jornal da Meia Noite, the sub-regional commander of Coimbra Civil Protection, Carlos Luís Tavares, clarified that the main structure of the bridge is undamaged.
“The structure of the bridge is fine. Apparently there is no problem. What happened was between where the bridge meets the embankment”, he explained.
According to the person responsible, the bursting of the dike, which occurred directly under the highway bridge, caused significant erosion of the land.
“The water, underneath, when the dike burst which burst exactly under the highway bridge, caused the erosion of that land and that is what has been falling”, he detailed.
The section in the North-South direction was destroyed and is not expected to reopen anytime soon, as the road platform gave way. The opposite direction, also closed as a precaution, may reopen, but this will require an assessment.
“In the other direction, which is cut off, it will have to be evaluated when the highway is to be opened again. All of this will be analyzed and safety will have to be guaranteed to open the highway”, he assured.
Brisa is on site analyzing the situation. During the interview, the commander further explained that the Preventative cutting of the road had been decided due to the pressure exerted by water on the pillars and structure.
“When we decided to cut the highway it was because of the pressure that the water was putting on the pillars and structure of the bridge.”
Another incident in the area in the afternoon
During the afternoon, another incident was recorded in the area. Shortly after the dike collapse, four people were isolated in an agricultural area.
“Soon after the collapse of the dike we received a call for help from four people who were isolated in an agricultural area, in a greenhouse where they were working and were unable to leave”, he reported.
Firefighter resources were mobilized and, in order not to waste time, air support was also called in.
“The marines quickly arrived at the scene and removed four people, two dogs and a cat,” he added.
