The stretch of BR-040 hit by the overflow of the Dique Lisa, in Nova Lima (MG), should resume the flow of vehicles in just one lane starting this Monday (10). The committee established to define the resumption of traffic in the region met on Sunday afternoon (09) to define the strategy, informed the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT).
Only the north lane will be used with a controlled flow in the stretch of about 400 meters, which could be affected in the event of a break in the dike. For security reasons, the stopping of vehicles in an extension before and after the stretch in question will be prohibited.
The dam region will be monitored visually and by instruments, and any movement of tailings will be communicated to the lane concessionaire to interrupt traffic. “Tests show that the material flow would take three minutes to reach the highway in the event of a collapse, while the slower vehicle (loaded truck) needs just over a minute to pass through the demarcated risk zone”, points out ANTT in note.
The committee is also made up of teams from Via 040, the highway concessionaire, from Vallorec, the company responsible for the dike, in addition to the Federal Highway Police (PRF), military police and firefighters from Minas Gerais. The operation should start at 6 am and the expectation is that the use of the two lanes will be possible after the decrease in rainfall and with the stability of the dam.
Reference: CNN Brasil
