Restoration Underway on Cuba’s Oldest Bridge

HAVANA TIMES — Spanning the Yayabo River, the oldest bridge on the island began undergoing repairs. The work is being done through the Office of Monuments and Sites in the central province of Sancti Spiritus, reports the Granma newspaper.

According to experts, the structure — measuring 85 meters long and nine high, and built between 1817 and 1831 with sand, lime and bricks — remains in “favorable” condition.

“What is most concerning is the deterioration of the bricks exposed to floods, which require replacement,” said the director of that office. He added the repair work “should not linger – for the sake of the overall health of the viaduct.”

He also announced that they will improve the storm sewers on the structure as well as set new speed and load limits for the bridge.

The Romantic-style assembly was declared a national monument in 1995 and is the only bridge on the island with five arches.