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Two years after its completion, the bridge remains unused. Promised for 2025, its activation depends on access and customs clearance. The promise rekindles hopes, but deadlines raise doubts. With immeasurable economic impacts, the trinational region awaits a solution that can transform trade and mobility.
Crossing the border between Brazil and Paraguay requires patience. Long lines, endless traffic jams and hours of waiting are part of the daily routine of those who depend on the International Friendship Bridge in Foz do Iguaçu.
But, in the background of this chaotic scenario, an imposing structure stands that promised solutions: the Integration Bridge.
Two years after its completion, the work remains unused, awaiting the completion of access and customs.
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But why has this bridge, which holds the hope of relieving the border, not yet received a single vehicle?
A promise with a new date
A Integration Bridge, according to the Ministry of Transport, can finally be activated in December 2025.
The structure, which connects Foz do Iguaçu to Paraguay, was created to be an alternative to the overloaded Friendship Bridge.
However, its opening depends on complementary works, such as the Perimetral Leste and customs facilities.
While the promise rekindles hope, many see the deadline as overly optimistic.
Old demand, delayed solutions
For almost six decades, residents and traders in the western region of Paraná have been asking for a viable alternative to crossing the border.
The International Friendship Bridge, opened in 1965, is the focus of intense commercial and tourist flow between Brazil and Ciudad del Este.
The result? Traffic jams that can last more than three hours.
The Integration Bridge was designed to alleviate this scenario, but its completion in 2021 did not result in the expected operation.
Complementary works in progress
For the bridge to begin operating, it is essential to complete the Perimetral Leste, which connects BR-277 to the new structure.
This highway will also provide access to the Tancredo Neves Bridge, which connects Brazil to Argentina.
By October 2024, the Perimetral had 46,27% of its works completed, according to the Paraná Infrastructure and Logistics Secretariat (Seil). It is expected to be ready before the end of 2025.
With a 15 km route, the Perimetral Leste will include strategic viaducts, facilitating traffic to points such as Rodovia das Cataratas (BR-469).
According to Itaipu Binacional, responsible for financing the project, more than R$63,3 million has already been invested in the construction of the road.
Customs and bureaucracy
Another obstacle is the completion of customs facilities, which are essential to enable traffic and goods control on the bridge.
As reported by Itaipu Binacional to Gazeta do Povo, the financial contributions for these works are being strictly fulfilled, but execution depends on coordination between multiple bodies.
Impacts of delay
The delay in activating the Integration Bridge is a source of frustration for the region.
Roni Temp, president of the Trinational Region Development Council (Codetri), highlighted that the economic and social impacts of this delay are “immeasurable”.
He told Gazeta do Povo that, although the 2025 deadline brings some optimism, the lack of speed harms not only local residents, but also regional and international trade.
What to expect from the future?
With works underway and renewed promises, the hope that the Integration Bridge will begin operating in 2025 is more alive than ever.
However, many question whether the deadlines will be met or whether further postponements are on the horizon.
It remains to be seen whether the trinational region will finally see the benefits promised by greater integration between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.
And you, what do you think?
Will the Integration Bridge finally be completed in 2025, or will new challenges further delay this long-awaited project? Leave your opinion in the comments!
This is a portrait of the incompetence of public management. Remembering that this is one (of the many) projects financed by Itaipu Binacional during the '****' administration, before that it was not known where the money was going.
What's missing is nothing more than honest management like that of Bolsonaro/Tarcísio!