Carmelo Bridge, Cultural heritage bridge in Colonia Department, Uruguay
Carmelo Bridge crosses the Arroyo de las Vacas with a movable design that lifts to allow boats to pass through the channel. The structure combines concrete and steel elements to support both vehicle and pedestrian traffic over the waterway.
This crossing opened on May 1, 1912, as an important step forward for regional transportation when Uruguay was modernizing its infrastructure. The project was part of broader efforts to improve travel routes and strengthen connections across the country during that period.
The bridge connects two parts of town and is used daily by residents and travelers crossing the waterway. It shapes how people move through the area and serves as a meeting point between different neighborhoods.
The bridge is easy to access from National Route 21 and can be reached comfortably during daylight hours. Keep in mind that both vehicles and pedestrians share the crossing, especially during busier times of day.
The moving parts of this crossing are original equipment from 1912 and still work today after more than a century. These early mechanisms show how engineers designed solutions that have endured through generations without major rebuilding.
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