Puente ferroviario Toltén, Railway bridge in Pitrufquén, Chile.
The Toltén Railway Bridge is a steel structure spanning the Río Toltén and connecting the communities of Pitrufquén and Freire Arriojas in southern Chile. The construction consists of nine metal sections supported by eight pillars and two abutments positioned across the river.
The bridge was designed and built by French engineering firm Schneider et Cie and opened on November 13, 1898 under President Federico Errázuriz. This structure played an important role in expanding Chile's railway network at the end of the 1800s.
This railway infrastructure represents a milestone in Chilean engineering, marking the expansion of national rail transportation at the end of the 19th century.
The structure sits approximately 20 meters above the water level and allows pedestrians to cross alongside the railway traffic. The location is easy to find since it directly connects the two communities and is visible from local roads.
In 2016 the bridge experienced a significant collapse that required complete reconstruction, which finished in 2020 using modern engineering standards. This rebuilding was an important undertaking for the region as it restored the railway connection between the two communities.
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