Bridge collapse in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Update (Wednesday noon):   The south bound bridge is open in both directions for cars, vans and pickups.

The north bound bridge which crosses the River Ameca from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco to Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit collapsed Tuesday morning at 2:30 am with some injuries and some people missing.  Some free emergency transport has been setup.  Two other bridges in the area also collapsed.

The south bound bridge was closed for safety evaluation.  Later reports say small cars are moving across the south bound bridge in both directions but no heavy trucks are allowed.

As of 11  pm Tuesday.  It is reported on Estrella television  that the north bound bridge is closed for fear that it too could fall if two way traffic is put on it. See Wednesday morning update here.

(last updated 11 pm, Tuesday 31 August)

The pvpulse.com will be updating the situation as it changes in English.

More photos on nayaritenlinea.com below the article.  A taxi driver and one of his passengers is reported rescued.

Up to the minute local reports also available on Jaltemba Bay Folk here and here.

NoticiasPV.com says the bridge has collapsed, confirmed by governor Ney’s facebook page, some injuries and missing persons.

More photos on nayaritpuntocom.com.

United States Consulate General Guadalajara

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO

AS MANY AMERICAN CITIZENS AS POSSIBLE

LIMITED SERVICES ON U.S. CONSULAR AGENCY

IN PUERTO VALLARTA

Date: August 31, 2010

BEGIN TEXT.

Authorities in Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit, reported the partial collapse of the Ameca River Bridge on August 31, 2010. Consequently, non-official traffic from both sides have currently come to a halt.  Authorities reported that the collapsed section was located on the “old” bridge, which leads from northern Puerto Vallarta to Nayarit (including Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, where our U.S. Consular Agency is located).

The bridge heading from southern Nayarit to Puerto Vallarta can only be used by authorized official vehicles and some foot traffic.  Civil Protection authorities from the State of Nayarit are evaluating the safety of the alternate bridge, which will remain closed until their further determination.

The US consular agency in Puerto Vallarta is operating with limited staff at this time due to the bridge collapse.

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.