Repair work begins on the Matanzas Drawbridge after years of neglect

The Giratory Railway Bridge of Matanzas, a gem of Cuban engineering built in 1904, has finally begun its repair process after years of neglect.

Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Cuba's Minister of Transportation, reported on Facebook this Sunday that the bridge is currently out of service, with serious corrosion damage to key elements such as the upper cord and the joints of its framework.

He emphasized that, although his alignment does not display permanent deformities, the central axis of rotation is severely degraded due to the accumulation of debris and lack of maintenance, and its rotating mechanism is no longer functional.

Furthermore, he justified that the rehabilitation of the bridge had been delayed for years due to a lack of funding and difficulties in hiring a specialized contractor.

However, a new project developed by the Architecture and Engineering Projects Company of Matanzas, with funding support from the Ministry of Transport, has allowed for the commencement of preliminary work.

The actions included in the restoration involve deep cleaning using techniques such as sand-blasting or hydro-blasting, repair and replacement of damaged structural elements, application of protective paint in accordance with specialized technical standards, and an instrumented load test to assess its structural capacity after the intervention, it emphasized.

Although the restoration of the original turning mechanism is not considered for now, the restoration of the Drawbridge marks a significant—and rather delayed—step towards recovering an invaluable piece of Matanzas' heritage.

This historic bridge, which connects the port with the industrial area of the city, was designed with a rotating mechanism that allowed trains to pass without obstructing navigation on the San Juan River.

Originally built with parts imported from the United States, it has witnessed the evolution of the Cuban railway system over more than a century.

However, the passage of time and environmental conditions, especially constant exposure to the marine environment, have caused severe structural deterioration.

Despite the high level of neglect, this steel relic suspended over the San Juan River continues to be a place for meetings, promises, and decisions that defy logic and safety.

Its structure, which has withstood the test of time and neglect, was recently the setting for a love story with elements of danger, when a young couple chose the iconic bridge as a refuge in the absence of recreational options.

However, it is not the only transportation component facing severe neglect. The railway bridge of Versalles, which connects the banks of the Yumurí River in Matanzas, has been a vital link between the city and its Industrial Zone for years; however, currently its metal structure appears worn, speckled with rust and worn down by time.

This bridge, with its tall metal arches and rails stained by the sparks of trains that still cross it, stands as a reminder of past times, and it also reflects the neglect that pervades the country, as can be seen in the images shared by the government-aligned newspaper Girón.

Frequently asked questions about the repair of the Matanzas Swing Bridge and the abandonment of infrastructure in Cuba