Mercado Velho promenade: erosion returns and increases delay in the recovery of the space With the advancement of erosion on the promenade of Novo Mercado Velho, in the center of Rio Branco, the Public Ministry of Acre (MP-AC) opened a civil investigation so that the capital's City Hall can identify what caused the cracks and other structural damage identified at the site. Through a note, the municipal Executive clarified that although the administration of the site, with regard to the organization, operation and monitoring of the space's activities, is the Municipal Agriculture Department (Seagro), the infrastructure part is with the Government of Acre. (Read the note in full below) "Thus, documents, technical information, contracts, projects, inspection, execution, guarantees, repairs or any responsibilities related to the work must be requested and provided by the body responsible for said intervention", he added. ? Join the g1 AC channel on WhatsApp According to the document, the organization requested from Rio Branco City Hall, through the responsible departments, a full copy of the bidding process for the work, the administrative contract, the basic and executive projects, descriptive memorial, physical-financial schedule, budget spreadsheets. The MP's investigation seeks to identify possible responsibilities in the execution and inspection of the space's revitalization work. Image shows the cracks along the boardwalk, in addition to being possible to see the unevenness of the ground Walcimar Júnior/Personal archive ? On July 12, 2024, around 270 meters of the Novo Mercado Velho Boardwalk was closed due to the risks to the population. At the time, the Joaquim Macedo Passarela, also in the same region, was closed for the same reason. The problems are attributed to flooding. In addition, the Public Prosecutor's Office also requested Technical Responsibility Notes (ART/RRT), inspection reports and definitive receipt documents for the work, and requested information about the contractual guarantee of the renovation, possible notification to the company responsible for the services and an action plan with a defined deadline for carrying out emergency repairs. READ MORE: Cracks in the area of Novo Mercado Velho are advancing and the area is closed in Rio Branco With closure for almost two years, Calçadão do Mercado Velho is once again showing erosion in Rio Branco MP-AC investigates erosion in Mercado Velho and demands information on the removal of traders from the site Calçadão do Novo Mercado Velho sags 1 centimeter every two days, says Civil Defense According to the ordinance, the company carrying out the work must also present, within ten working days, a technical justification for the cracks and other identified damages. The investigation was opened by the Public Prosecutor's Office for the Defense of Human Rights and Citizenship and signed by the public prosecutor Thalles Ferreira Costa. The body also highlights that the place is frequented daily by market traders, informal workers, the elderly, people with disabilities, children and tourists. “Structural cracks in public equipment with large circulation constitute, in theory, a concrete and imminent risk to the life, physical integrity and safety of workers, traders, tourists and the general population who frequent the place", highlights the text. According to the document, if the technical reports indicate an imminent risk to the life or physical integrity of those who frequent the place, the Public Prosecutor's Office may request a judicial closure, total or partial, of the Novo Mercado Velho. In May, Calçadão do Novo Mercado Velho, in Rio Branco, showed new cracks in newly built pillars Reproduction Works On June 10, due to the rains that hit Rio Branco, erosion on Calçadão do Novo Mercado Velho advanced and, therefore, it was necessary to close the area again. At the end of May, the site began to show cracks again despite undergoing restoration work. Images showed cracks in the newly built pillars and in the sidewalk that covers the region. The initial investment for the work that began in 2023 was estimated at R$300,000, coming from the state's own resources. At the time, the forecast was that the work would be completed in two months, which did not happen. The Joaquim Macedo Walkway has been closed for almost 2 years. That year, around 480 families working at the Solidarity Economy fair had to be relocated to other spaces. Some of the workers are currently in Thomas Edison Square, located next to the capital's Public Library. In 2024, the National Highways Department (Deracre), responsible for the walkway intervention, said it would install cable-stayed curtains, in addition to metal sheet pilings and 18 piles that were driven into a pillar that was damaged. Later that year, the government of Acre declared an emergency due to erosion recorded in the bed of the Acre River, which affected both the boardwalk and the walkway. Read the city hall's note in full Rio Branco City Hall is going public to clarify this Monday (6), information related to Mercado Velho, due to the recent news about the opening of a civil investigation by the Public Ministry of the State of Acre to investigate possible structural damage identified at the site. It is important to inform that the daily administration of Mercado Velho is the responsibility of the Municipal Agriculture Department, with regard to the organization, operation and monitoring of activities carried out in the space. However, the infrastructure part and the work carried out in the Mercado Velho courtyard are the responsibility of the Government of the State of Acre, the entity responsible for the intervention carried out in the area. Therefore, documents, technical information, contracts, projects, inspection, execution, guarantees, repairs or any responsibilities related to the work must be requested and provided by the body responsible for said intervention. Rio Branco City Hall reinforces that it does not shirk its administrative responsibilities regarding the space and remains at the disposal of the competent bodies to collaborate, within its legal responsibilities, with the necessary clarifications. Finally, municipal management reaffirms its commitment to the safety of the population, traders, workers and visitors, as well as to the preservation of the Old Market, an important historical, cultural and tourist heritage of the capital of Acre. Municipal Secretariat of Agriculture Rio Branco City Hall Review the news from Acre