Panama City, Panama. The Ministry of Public Works has completed the second phase of controlled load tests on the Bridge of the Americas. More than 65,000 drivers cross this critical structure every day.
Engineers conducted the measurements from 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, until 2:00 a.m. on Sunday. The overnight schedule allowed specialists to analyze how the bridge behaves under different weight conditions without disrupting daily traffic.
“The main objective of these measurements is to collect precise data on the structural behavior of the roadway. This ensures the safety of the more than 65,000 users who travel across it daily and extends its useful life,” the ministry said in a statement. [Translated from Spanish]
Structural load testing with high-precision sensors
Specialists from the Ministry of Public Works worked alongside personnel from the Panama Canal Authority and the Technological University of Panama. They used high-precision sensors to measure the structure’s response to stress.
These devices were installed at strategic points across the bridge. They recorded deformations and vibrations in real time during the testing period.
Edwin Lewis, director of Studies and Designs at the Ministry of Public Works, explained the scope of the operation. “We placed sensors at 24 points on the bridge,” he said. “This information will be fundamental for defining the roadmap for the comprehensive maintenance of the structure.” [Translated from Spanish]
“The analysis of these results will allow us to make the most appropriate technical decisions for the future of this important road connection,” said Karen Caballero, deputy director of the entity. [Translated from Spanish]
The test involved two trucks carrying controlled loads. They drove alternately across different lanes to evaluate how the platform responds to heavy weights and vibrations.
Long-standing weight restrictions and recent damage
Since 2009, the Bridge of the Americas has enforced a restriction banning vehicles over 10 tons. That rule remains in effect as officials try to reduce structural wear.
These evaluations follow a serious incident in the La Boca sector, located directly beneath the bridge. An explosion involving three tanker trucks killed one worker and affected the bridge’s structures.
Inspectors found that the explosion burned the paint on the bridge. They determined it caused no significant structural damage. But authorities have maintained an evaluation plan since that day to rule out any hidden damage.
An inter-institutional technical committee recommended giving maintenance to the structure. They also advised applying a multi-level testing approach to ensure long-term safety.
The Structural load testing program also includes the Centennial Bridge. Officials say these comprehensive evaluations will guide future maintenance decisions for both critical crossings.