Friendship Bridge

This concrete arch bridge spans the Paraná River with a total length of 1,814 feet (553 meters) and a main arch span of 951 feet (290 meters), connecting Brazil and Paraguay.

Construction began in October 1956 and the bridge officially opened on March 27, 1965, in a ceremony attended by Brazilian President Castelo Branco and Paraguayan President Alfredo Stroessner.

The bridge symbolizes bilateral cooperation between Brazil and Paraguay, facilitating economic exchange and strengthening diplomatic relations between the two nations since its inauguration in 1965.

The bridge serves as a major commercial route on the BR-277 highway, handling significant import and export traffic between Brazil and Paraguay, particularly for Ciudad del Este's trade activities.

Engineers designed the structure to accommodate rapid water level variations and two annual floods of the Paraná River while maintaining 59 feet (18 meters) clearance for uninterrupted river navigation.

Location: Foz do Iguaçu

Location: Ciudad del Este

Inception: March 27, 1965

Official opening: 1965

Length: 552.4 m

Longest Span: 290 m

Made from material: concrete

Part of: Brazil–Paraguay border

GPS coordinates: -25.50958,-54.60111

Latest update: November 28, 2025 14:28