The left runway of Spain Avenue in Viña del Mar is opened for public and cargo transportation

The left lane of Avenida España in Viña del Mar has been reopened for public transport and cargo vehicles following recent landslides that closed the road to all traffic. The move comes after efforts to restore partial functionality to one of the key arteries connecting Viña del Mar with the neighboring city of Valparaíso. As of early Saturday morning, the left lane is open exclusively for buses and trucks, while private vehicles must still use alternative routes such as Calle Amunátegui and Camino Real. The reopening was announced by local authorities through social media updates from Transporte Informa, the regional transportation agency for Valparaíso. According to their latest message, the left lane of Avenida España between Amunátegui and Olga streets is now accessible for public transport and cargo heading toward Viña del Mar. This change follows a series of adjustments made to improve traffic flow and safety along the route. Manuel Millones, the presidential delegate for Valparaíso, detailed the modifications during a press briefing. He explained that the bus stop previously located near the Industrial High School had been moved 100 meters closer to the school’s entrance. Additionally, a section of Calle 18 de Septiembre was temporarily closed to prevent vehicles from traveling against the direction of traffic, which posed a risk to drivers and pedestrians. These changes have helped restore some level of normalcy to the area, allowing public transport and freight vehicles to pass more freely. Millones also noted that private vehicles will be permitted to use the left lane of Avenida España between midnight and 6 a.m., providing temporary relief for residents who rely on this route during off-peak hours. However, during the day, the lane remains restricted to public transport and commercial vehicles only. The road closure was necessitated by landslides that occurred over the weekend, disrupting traffic and prompting emergency response teams to assess the damage. While immediate mitigation measures have been implemented, long-term solutions remain under discussion. According to Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Iván Poduje, definitive repairs to the road would take approximately 90 days and cost around 800 million Chilean pesos. These repairs include clearing debris from the slope, removing loose materials, and installing barriers to protect vehicles in case of future landslides. Work continues on the arterial road, which saw significant disruption due to the recent geological instability. Local officials emphasized the importance of these interim measures in ensuring continued access for essential services and reducing congestion on surrounding roads. Residents and commuters have expressed mixed reactions to the partial reopening. Some welcomed the opportunity to use the left lane during nighttime hours, while others criticized the continued restrictions on private vehicle movement during the day. Many have called for faster progress on permanent repairs to fully restore the road's capacity and reduce reliance on alternate routes. Authorities have assured the public that they are working diligently to complete both short-term and long-term projects aimed at stabilizing Avenida España. In the meantime, traffic management strategies will continue to evolve based on ongoing assessments of the road's condition and usage patterns. The situation highlights the challenges faced by urban areas prone to geological risks and underscores the need for resilient infrastructure planning.