Integration Bridge, in Foz do Iguaçu, may be open to traffic in April

The Federal Highway Police (PRF) anticipates the Integration Bridge, a new access link between Brazil and Paraguay, may be open to traffic in April.

The month in question is given as an initial forecast and has been agreed upon by federal agencies from Brazil and Paraguay.

Initially, heavy vehicles will only be able to circulate on the bridge unloaded.

However, the bridge’s opening date still depends on discussions between the various agencies involved.

On the Brazilian side, the PRF, the Federal Police (PF), the Internal Revenue Service, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock are all involved.

According to the PRF, discussions on the subject will continue during February and March, involving both countries, until the opening is officially defined.

There are also no definitions yet for a possible inauguration event.

If the opening is confirmed for April, cargo vehicles will initially circulate unloaded.

As the customs houses have not yet been built, the inspection will be done with the help of a totem, which will allow the agents that work on the border between Brazil and Argentina to monitor the traffic on the bridge.

HISTORY

The bridge was completed in Dec. 2022 after three years of work. Since then, a definition was awaited about when the Integration Bridge would be opened to traffic and the official inauguration, announced and canceled several times, would take place.

Besides the structure, the project includes other works in the surrounding area, such as the Perimetral East, which starts at the Integration Bridge (Brazil-Paraguay), passing through the Porto Meira neighborhood in Foz do Iguaçu, until reaching the Fraternity Bridge (Brazil-Argentina), still under construction.

Also included in the package are the two customs offices on the borders with Paraguay and Argentina.

The expectation is that the entire complementary structure will be completed by 2023.

The Integration Bridge will be the alternative way to relieve the heavy traffic on the border between Brazil – through the city of Foz do Iguaçu – and Paraguay – through Cidade do Leste, currently concentrated on the Friendship Bridge.