Collapsed bridge demolition enters new phase

The O Castro viaduct in Spain suffered two collapses in June 2022. The bridge was closed to the public for repair works at the time of the incident. (Photo: Mitma)

The O Castro viaduct, which forms part of the A6 roadway between A Coruña on the northeast coast and Madrid, suffered two collapses in June of this year, during urgent repair works that began in October 2021.  

Situated between the provinces of León and Lugo, the viaduct measures 485 m (1,591 ft) long and 45 m (147 ft) high. The works are expected to take a month to complete and will see both piles cut into sections and lifted from the site using cranes.

Works to the remove the piles follows the demolition of span 2 of the collapsed viaduct, which was carried out in August.

Once the piles are taken down, they will be further dismantled and analysed as part of the investigation process. Their removal from the site will enable Mitma to access the debris from the demolished span 2, which will also be analysed and cleared away.

While the investigation into the collapse is still ongoing, its findings are expected to be made public in in mid-October.

“The research work to determine the causes of the collapse is progressing at a good pace, with a multidisciplinary team of more than 60 people in which 10 first-class engineering and construction companies are involved,” said Mitma.