Puente Llacolén, Road bridge in San Pedro de la Paz and Concepción, Chile
The Puente Llacolén is a road bridge in Chile that spans the Biobío River, linking San Pedro de la Paz on the south bank to Concepción on the north. It carries four vehicle lanes and a separate path reserved for pedestrians and cyclists, lined with benches along the way.
The bridge was built to meet growing demand for an additional crossing between Concepción and the south bank of the Biobío River. A major earthquake in 2010 damaged part of its roadway, and for a period it became the only usable link between the two sides.
The name of the bridge honors a Mapuche leader and his daughter, a reference that most people in the region recognize when they cross. Near its southern end, a small lake connects the site to old stories from Mapuche tradition.
The bridge is easy to reach from both sides of the river, and the dedicated pedestrian and cyclist path offers a crossing away from vehicle traffic. Wind and rain can make the on-foot or cycling crossing more demanding, so checking the weather before setting out is a good idea.
Large sculptures stand at both ends of the bridge, greeting travelers as they arrive on each side of the river and visible from some distance away. These figures make the crossing point easy to spot and are a common stop for photos.
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