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Maximum alert! After the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, 40 federal bridges in critical condition could collapse in the coming years, according to an alarming report by the Public Prosecutor's Office

Written by Valdemar Medeiros
Published 18/01/2025 às 00:31
Maximum alert! After the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, 40 federal bridges in critical condition could collapse in the coming years, according to an alarming report by the Public Prosecutor's Office
Bridges in critical condition in Brazil - AI-generated photo

The collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge brings to light 40 federal bridges in critical condition. The Public Prosecutor's Office releases a report with more than 700 bridges at risk in Brazil.

On December 22, the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge collapsed on the border between Tocantins and Maranhão after a series of structural problems that had been pointed out for years. The structure, which was part of the BR 230 and was vital for the connection between the Northeast and the Amazon, did not resist even after receiving recent maintenance contracts, but incredibly there are other bridges at risk in Brazil. After the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, the Public Prosecutor's Office indicates dozens of federal bridges in critical condition.

There are more than 700 federal bridges in critical condition in Brazil

According to a survey by the Public Prosecutor's Office up until May 2023, 727 federal bridges were classified as critical or poor. Of these, 130 are in an extremely deteriorated state, while 40 could collapse in the next few years if nothing is done.

The precariousness of these federal bridges in critical condition, many of them managed by the National Department of Transport Infrastructure, puts millions of Brazilians at risk of tragedies similar to the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge.

States such as Ceará, Pernambuco, Minas Gerais and Pará have the highest number of bridges at risk with problems ranging from serious cracks to structural failures in the drainage systems and foundations. 

The Juscelino Kubitschek bridge, 533 m long, was vital for the BR-230, one of the main connections between the Northeast and the North, but everything changed when it collapsed at the end of 2024, even after repairs carried out in recent years. The consequences of the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge were devastating both for the families affected and for regional logistics. 

Understand the reason for the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek bridge

The collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge is a reflection of poor structural management in Brazil. Alarming data from the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DENIT) and the Public Prosecutor's Office show that there are 727 Federal Bridges in critical condition.

Since 2019, 19 bridges at risk have collapsed on federal highways, nine of which have occurred in 2024 alone. These tragedies, which include the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, are not isolated cases, but rather the result of years of negligence and lack of prioritization in maintenance and inspection.

Although DENIT has monitored 5.200 of the 6.200 federal bridges in the last 2 years, the frequency of inspections, carried out only every 2 years, with some structures going up to 5 years without detailed assessments, is insufficient to deal with the magnitude of the problems. The country has between 120.000 and 200.000 bridges, including state and municipal bridges, but the lack of complete mapping prevents an effective analysis of the risk across the territory.

Ceará is the state with the most bridges at risk in Brazil

Resource allocation is also a challenge, and programs such as PROARTE, which are designed to maintain and rehabilitate bridges at risk, often face budgetary and bureaucratic constraints. Bidding processes often fail or the companies hired are not qualified to carry out complex projects, as was the case with the bridge in Maranhão and Tocantins.

An emblematic example of the consequences of ineffective management was the collapse of the bridge over the Curuçá River on September 28, 2022, which left the Amazon isolated and exposed the challenges of Brazilian infrastructure in strategic regions.

It is worth mentioning that Ceará is the state with the largest number of Federal Bridges in critical or poor condition, totaling 93 structures. Among them, those located on BR 020, 116, 222, and 122 stand out, which connect economically important regions.

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Bruno
Bruno
18/01/2025 17:40

DENIT IS WORKING HARD IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME….

Joao Mendonca
Joao Mendonca
18/01/2025 22:59

In Ceará, there are bridges in the city of Aracati Br 304 over the Jaguaribe river
Note: BR 304 is a dual carriageway at this point. Both are in critical condition.
They have already filmed and released it on social media
social.
But the authorities did not speak out.

Alex
Alex
In reply to  Joao Mendonca
19/01/2025 06:58

Millions millions millions IPVA slap in the face of northeasterners

Valdemar Medeiros

Journalist in training, specialist in creating content with a focus on SEO actions. Writes about the Automotive Industry, Renewable Energy and Science and Technology

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