Overview
- President José María Balcázar and regional officials inaugurated the 371‑meter Virgen de Chapi bridge on Monday, July 13, 2026, and the structure is now open for provisional traffic.
- The Contraloría has issued formal technical observations since 2021 flagging seismic and structural risks, including possible need to reinforce pillars, and those concerns remain on record.
- The Gobierno Regional says an integral study delivered days before the ceremony shows the bridge can operate, but the regional audit office and some engineers dispute that the late report settles the outstanding checks.
- Critical complementary works are unfinished: twin tunnels set to start July 20 under Obras por Impuestos, a 20.5 km road segment and an interchange to the Panamericana Sur expected to move forward with a July 24 agreement, and traffic will use a provisional La Nueva Molina route.
- Local residents, transport groups and officials warn the route lacks lighting, full signage, pedestrian crossings and repaired pavement, raising safety and accident concerns as heavy commercial traffic increases and administrative reception processes may take months.