Automóvil Club Argentino replaces historic totem due to collapse risk

The Automóvil Club Argentino (ACA) has temporarily replaced the historic identification totem at its headquarters on Del Libertador Avenue in Buenos Aires due to structural safety concerns. Technical experts identified cracks and structural flaws that posed an “imminent risk of collapse.”

Óscar Peña, the ACA Director of Legal Affairs, stated that the original totem, which stands approximately six meters tall and weighs nearly six tons, had to be removed immediately to prevent accidents in a high-traffic area for pedestrians and vehicles. The institution emphasized that the decision was made to prioritize public safety and avoid potential casualties.

The original structure is considered part of the club's historical heritage, a status the ACA itself helped secure in 2013. The club plans to undergo a full restoration of the original totem and reinstall it once repairs are complete. In the interim, a lighter, modern temporary totem with updated lighting has been installed to maintain the site's identification function.