Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The city's new bypass road tunnel was closed to traffic on Sunday afternoon after cracks in the ceiling and falling debris, which could result in damage to cars or major mishaps, were discovered.

After walking the tunnel to perform the corresponding inspection, Municipal Fire and Civil Protection Deputy Director, Sergio Ramírez López, along with Infrastructure and Municipal Services General Director, Oscar Delgado Chavez, determined that there is no structural damage, only surface damage that could cause problems, therefore the tunnel was closed to traffic.

For this reason, officers are positioned to divert traffic into the old tunnel, which will operate in both directions.

As for the length of time that the tunnel could be closed, Ramirez Lopez said that, on Monday, he gave notice to the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT), who is in charge of work on the tunnel, so that they could motivate the construction company that performed the work to make the necessary repairs.

He reiterated that there is no risk of the tunnel collapsing, "we are closing the tunnel to traffic to prevent any incidents, but Vallarta motorists can rest assured that the tunnel's structure in sound," he said.