Puente Huérfanos, Pedestrian bridge in Santiago, Chile

Puente Huérfanos is a cable-stayed footbridge over the Autopista Central and Metro Line 2, 109 metres long and 29 metres high. It continues Calle Huérfanos from the corner of Manuel Rodríguez poniente, opposite the Registro Civil, to Tucapel Jiménez, just south of Santa Ana station. Its two reinforced-concrete fork-shaped pylons rise 19 metres, and the deck is four metres wide.

The bridge opened in 1997 as part of Santiago's efforts to improve pedestrian connections across major urban barriers. Its construction reflected the city's need to link the historic center with growing neighborhoods on the other side of the highway.

The bridge takes its name from Calle Huérfanos, the street it continues across the Autopista Central. The walkway links the historic center with Barrio Brasil, crossing above Avenida Manuel Rodríguez and Metro Line 2 just south of Santa Ana station.

The walkway is roughly four meters wide and rises about 30 meters above ground, giving foot traffic a clear view while crossing. Elevators at both ends provide an easier way to reach the bridge if you prefer not to use the stairs.

The two 19-metre reinforced-concrete pylons are shaped like forks, and the deck hangs from cables between them. The walkway was built in just five months and opened on 18 November 1997, at a cost of 120 million pesos shared by the municipality and the Ministry of Public Works.