The High Mountain state faces a closure of the Cristo Redentor Pass, on Aconcagua Radio

On this day, a preventive closure of the Cristo Redentor International Pass was decided, and on the program Hermoso caos (Beautiful Chaos ) onAconcagua Radio , they held a conversation with officials from the Las Heras Municipal Urban Guard . There, Pablo Tijeras , of that force, shared details about the state of high-mountain routes and the usual complications.

—We're in Uspallata because we want to start learning about the high mountain situation in terms of routes, accidents, how they're working... That's why we came to the Municipal Urban Guard and Pablo Tijeras met us to talk about the issue. We know they were on an activity just now.

—Yes, we were just preparing the afternoon operation, since the International Pass is being blocked today by both the Police and the National Gendarmerie.

—What are these operations like when people on high tell you, "It's closed, there's snow , and it won't open tomorrow"? What's the procedure?

—There is a protocol issued by the National Highway Administration, and of course, the extended forecasts from the National Meteorological Service are also in place. In this case, due to a major storm moving in today, a preventive closure of the International Pass will be in effect starting at 6:00 p.m.

—We're in the city, and we see when these closures last more than four or five days, and trucks start to accumulate until they reach Luján. How do you inform them? What's that communication like with them?

—The protocol is stipulated and signed (it was signed last year in Horcones), and it states that once a large number of trucks arrive, a protocol is activated with the Highway Patrol starting at 7:40 a.m., and then they move east, and so on. And the surrounding provinces are notified that trucks are coming. Then, truck parking is established to prevent congestion, both in the high mountains and in Mendoza, in the city, or on the access road.

—What's your opinion on the number of road accidents we see in high mountains? Is it always due to human error, whether due to ignorance, overconfidence, or the belief that driving in the mountains is the same as driving on the flat?

—Regarding the road accidents we're experiencing here in the High Mountains, I think it's due to overconfidence. Many people are unfamiliar with both the road and its condition. So, overconfidence generally leads to speeding, crossing the double yellow line where it's not allowed, and these situations lead to accidents, unfortunately.

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