Over 650 trucks stranded in Neuquén due to the closure of the Cristo Redentor Pass and severe weather in the mountains

More than 650 trucks remained halted this Wednesday at various points in Neuquén waiting to cross into Chile, a situation that has been ongoing for several days due to the closure of the Cristo Redentor International Pass in Mendoza and adverse weather conditions in the mountains.

Although National Highway Administration reopened traffic through the Pino Hachado International Pass shortly after 10:30, the opening was not enough to normalize circulation, and long lines continued on national routes 22, 40, and 231.

Traffic was allowed with strict restrictions.

In the official report issued during the morning, National Highway Administration confirmed that Pino Hachado was opened for all types of vehicles, although it warned about complex driving conditions.

Among the main risks mentioned were the presence of ice on the road, low traction, strong gusts of wind, overcast skies, loose animals, and possible rockfalls at kilometer 48. Additionally, the mandatory carrying of chains for all vehicles traveling through this international corridor was maintained.

In the Cardenal Samoré Pass, located on National Route 231, circulation was also allowed with caution due to the forecast of new snowfalls during the afternoon.

The provincial director of Civil Defense, Carlos Cruz, explained that the pass was opened gradually to avoid further congestion at the border. "It is open, it is raining and snowing in the high mountain area. For the moment, batches of 60 are being released," he indicated.

The official forecast was that between 100 and 120 trucks would manage to complete the crossing during the day, although the official clarified that the final number would depend on the evolution of the weather.

Despite the partial reopening, the problem continues to worsen because the influx of new transports exceeds the number of vehicles that manage to cross the border. "One releases 100 trucks, but 150 arrive," summarized Cruz, describing the dynamic that keeps the system saturated.

The largest concentrations of trucks were recorded in Las Lajas, Zapala, Cutral Co, and Arroyito, while at the Cardenal Samoré Pass, the line reached approximately four kilometers.

The closure of the Cristo Redentor has shifted the problem to Neuquén.

The origin of the congestion is directly related to the closure of the Cristo Redentor Pass in Mendoza, which remains out of service due to heavy snowfall in the high mountains and still does not have a confirmed reopening date.

According to the regulations of the National Commission for Transport Regulation (CNRT), when an international pass is disabled, trucks must be redirected to the next available corridor.

This situation caused a significant portion of the international traffic that usually uses the Mendoza corridor to be redirected to the border crossings in Neuquén.

The head of Rural Traffic in Las Lajas, Gustavo Herrera, noted that some transporters had been waiting for more than 48 hours to cross into Chile at least until Wednesday.

Authorities warned that the situation could worsen in the coming days. According to Civil Defense, about 800 units currently circulating in Mendoza could head towards Neuquén if the Cristo Redentor remains closed.

"We have a constant vehicle flow of around 800 trucks that could be circulating and arriving here," explained Carlos Cruz, which could generate a new collapse.

In addition to this situation, the weather forecast anticipates new rains, snowfalls, strong winds, and temperatures between -7 °C and -8 °C in various sectors of the mountains, conditions that could extend until the weekend.

On the Chilean side, there are also usually between 100 and 120 trucks waiting to complete the paperwork to enter Argentina, and the Chilean authorities may implement a preventive closure of the pass if the weather deteriorates again.

In light of the magnitude of the operation, the Emergency Secretariat deployed advanced medical posts in Cutral Co and Las Lajas, while in Zapala, health assistance is concentrated at the base of the Integrated Emergency System of Neuquén (SIEN).

The presence of Traffic Safety personnel, Police, and municipal teams has also been reinforced along routes 22, 40, 237, and 242, as well as strategic corridors such as Siete Lagos, Villa Pehuenia, Caviahue-Copahue, Arroyito, Zapala, and Pino Hachado.

Provincial authorities are also considering installing new control and assistance posts in Añelo and Chos Malal due to the possibility that some heavy traffic may attempt to enter through northern Neuquén. For Carlos Cruz, this deployment represents one of the most significant operations the province has witnessed in the last decade.