Among the many bridge structures damaged or weakened by the recent flood waters, the Presidente Troncoso Bridge on the Sanchez Highway that crosses the Haina River was closed by authorities due to a weakening of the eastern side of the structure. Inspectors gave three causes for the structure?s damage: the flood waters that pounded the support columns; the vibration caused by the very heavy commercial traffic and the lack of a maintenance program. At 7:30pm yesterday all traffic headed towards the South was diverted to the new 6 of November Highway. According to the mayor of Bajos de Haina, Marino Lora, the bridge closure will affect all the towns in the southern area of the country. The fire chief of Santo Domingo West, Rolando Cuello, said the bridge has buckled from six to ten inches and is still falling. Police at the toll station just a few meters from the eastern end of the bridge are diverting traffic there. Only a few motorcycle riders are allowed to walk their machines across the bridge?s span. The President Troncoso Bridge is 230 meters long and 30 meters wide. It was rebuilt in 1968 after it collapsed in 1965. Mayor Lora called for the immediate construction of a new bridge.