Mayor Jorge Astiazaran visited the site to see the separation first-hand and ordered the bridge be shut down so that initial evaluations of the structure can take place. The mayor ordered signage to be erected at entrance of the bridge so that drivers are directed to take alternative routes. As of last night, drivers report the presence of a police car with flashing lights and large orange barrels with emergency tape are being used to block off the entrance to the bridge.
Robert Sanchez Martinez, head of Urban and Ecological Development explained that the fault line originated between two asphalt plates that join two sections of the bridge, leading to its closure so that separated bridge can be quickly assessed and repairs may take place. This is of course to ensure that drivers are not in danger.
Authorities are asking motorists to use alternative routes when arriving in Mexico via the Chaparral crossing, and hope to reduce bottlenecks in the area. The temporary route to access the Via Rapida is to go straight on the onramp that is directly to the left of the closure, and merge into the middle lane of the road which branches off toward Playas de Tijuana (on the far right hand side) and toward downtown (on the far left side). This route will look familiar to most as it is the road that drivers used to navigate before construction of the new border crossing and now-separated bridge.
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