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Construction of the Drawbridge Revealed Imminent Risk of Collapse, According to João Campos. Intervention Continues Until March 2026 in Recife.
The Drawbridge, one of the most symbolic routes in Recife, has been closed since 2023 after technicians identified serious flaws in the construction, putting the structure at risk of collapse.
The situation was revealed by Mayor João Campos, who stated that the bridge could have collapsed had it continued operating normally. The current forecast for reopening is March 2026.
The alert was detailed in an interview on Rádio Folha FM, where João Campos explained that the decision to close the bridge was based on reports made by a leading specialist in the State.
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The mayor emphasized that the measure, although unpopular, became necessary to ensure safety and prevent a tragedy similar to those already recorded in other Brazilian cities.
“There was an imminent risk of the bridge collapsing. If we had not done this, the bridge could have fallen,” stated the mayor.
Serious Flaws Were Discovered During the Initial Construction
The intervention on the Drawbridge began in September 2023. Initially, it was supposed to be a simple job, with a timeframe of only four months.
However, during the concrete breaking stage, teams identified that part of the steel cables in the prestressed area was completely corroded.
According to João Campos, the problem was only noticed when the structure was opened.
“With 65% of the work completed, a concrete breaking process was carried out to place a steel reinforcement. When the concrete was broken, it was identified that steel cables in the prestressed area of the bridge… had disappeared. They were 100% corroded. The rust consumed them entirely,” he explained.
Thus, a new bidding process was necessary. The investment, which was R$ 9.4 million, increased to R$ 14.3 million.
Additionally, over 30 structural tests had to be conducted before progressing to the new construction phase.
Importance of the Drawbridge and Its Impact on Traffic in Recife
With a length of 195.25 meters and a strategic function between the neighborhoods of Recife and São José, the Drawbridge is considered vital for mobility in the city center.
It also serves as an alternative route for the South Zone, besides receiving a large flow of pedestrians daily.
Therefore, since the closure, traffic in the region has faced constant congestion. The city hall had to reorganize the traffic scheme, but drivers continue to report slowdowns, especially during peak hours. Even so, João Campos reminds that the priority is to avoid risks.
“When we discovered it, the designer immediately said that it was necessary to stop 100% of the car flow over the bridge so that we could conduct more than 30 tests,” he said.
Risk Compared to the Collapse of the Bridge in Tocantins
During the interview, João Campos cited the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge, which connected Tocantins and Maranhão and left 14 dead in 2024.
For him, the lack of preventive interventions directly contributed to the tragedy.
The mayor compared the situation to what could have happened in Recife had the Drawbridge not been closed.
“Imagine what a Saturday or Sunday during Carnival would be like… 2,000 people on the bridge and the bridge collapses. That could have happened. We can’t think that this is normal,” he stated.
When Will the Drawbridge Be Reopened?
According to the City Hall of Recife, the work on the bridge is expected to be completed in March 2026. João Campos assures that, despite the inconvenience caused by the closure, the result will be a safe structure prepared for decades of use.
“Now we will inaugurate the bridge at the turn of the year. It will be safe, restored, and what happened in Tocantins will not happen here,” he concluded.
Concordo plenamente com o prefeito manutenção e o nome da segurança, parar fazer a manutenção preventiva, melhor, que ter que construir uma nova depois de acidente com vítimas parabéns