National Unity Bridge, Road bridge in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
The National Unity Bridge is a bridge complex in northeastern Guayaquil, Ecuador, 2,186 metres long, made of four bridges: the Rafael Mendoza Avilés and Carlos Pérez Peraso bridges over the Daule River and two over the Babahoyo River, linked by a road in La Puntilla, Samborondón. A white arched pylon rises over the span, and flags and yellow, blue and red banners line the right railing.
Construction of this transportation route began in the 1960s and was completed in the early 1970s to create a major road link across the rivers. The finished project improved access between different parts of the region.
The complex is named for national unity, and its opening on 9 October 1970 fell on Guayaquil's independence day. The name Rafael Mendoza Avilés honours the ex-mayor who chaired the civic committee that pressed for the river crossing, while the Carlos Pérez Peraso span carries a second local figure's name.
The complex runs 2,186 metres from northeastern Guayaquil across the Daule and Babahoyo rivers to Durán. Two parallel spans cross each river, joined by a road through La Puntilla, Samborondón. Look for the white arched pylon at the far end of the span and the flags and banners along the right railing.
The structure actually comprises multiple parallel bridge segments connected by a road section that together create the full crossing. This design allows vehicle traffic to distribute across the different spans efficiently.
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