Salto Grande Bridge, International railway and road bridge at Salto Grande Dam, Argentina and Uruguay.
Salto Grande Bridge crosses the Uruguay River and links the Argentine city of Concordia to the Uruguayan city of Salto on a single structure. The bridge carries both railway tracks and a road side by side, allowing trains and vehicles to use it simultaneously.
Construction of this crossing began in the mid-1970s as a result of a bilateral agreement between Argentina and Uruguay to create joint border infrastructure. Its completion in the early 1980s marked a turning point in how the two countries connected transportation networks.
The bridge is a daily meeting point for neighbors and families from both sides, where Argentine and Uruguayan communities naturally cross paths and maintain close ties. The crossing has become so routine that the border feels less like a barrier and more like a connection between two towns that function as one region.
The bridge is accessible for vehicles and trains, with border controls conducted at designated checkpoints on both sides. Travelers should expect varying wait times at the crossing depending on the time of day.
The bridge is integrated with the Salto Grande Dam, whose hydroelectric facility generates electricity for both countries. Many travelers fail to notice that they are driving over one of the region's major power sources while crossing.
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