Callao warns of bridge collapse risks for Jorge Chávez Airport access

The Callao Provincial Municipality has issued an alert regarding the potential collapse of the Bailey bridges that serve as the sole land access to Jorge Chávez International Airport. Civil Defense reports warn that an intense El Niño phenomenon could cause the Rímac River to overflow, potentially isolating the airport terminal.

Urban development engineers and local authorities report that a lack of dredging and cleaning in the Rímac River has led to the accumulation of large rocks and debris. These elements could act as projectiles against the bridge supports during high water levels. Callao Provincial Mayor César Pérez warned that if water levels reach 200 cubic meters, the bridges could be swept away, and the airport facilities themselves risk flooding due to their location below the riverbed.

While Lima Airport Partners (LAP) has reportedly allocated approximately 4.5 million soles for preventive works, the municipality claims that necessary dredging and cleaning tasks have not yet begun due to delays involving the Regional Government of Callao.