Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated, “We, Latin Americans, South Americans, Brazilians, and Paraguayans, build bridges.” He emphasized that shared infrastructure benefits the peoples and strengthens peace and regional development.
A new road link after 60 years The bridge is the second crossing over the Paraná River between the two countries, six decades after the Friendship International Bridge.
The project, conceived in 1992 and completed after multiple delays, connects Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil with Presidente Franco in Paraguay.
The structure, named the Jaime Lerner Integration Bridge, has: - A length of 760 meters - A central span of 470 meters - Two simple lanes, each 3.6 meters wide - Towers 190 meters high, equivalent to about 54 floors
The total investment was 1.9 billion Brazilian reais (about 345 million dollars), financed by both nations.
Operational phases and ceremony in Paraguay In a first phase, the crossing will be open for trucks without cargo, with progressive openings coordinated by control bodies.
Lula announced that the ceremony on the Paraguayan side will take place on Saturday and will be headed by President Santiago Peña, who was absent this Friday for family reasons.
“Some build walls and barriers” In Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná state, Lula stated that while some leaders are pushing for walls to prevent the passage of poor people, South America opts for cooperation. “Some defend walls and barriers,” he said.
