Viaduto Paulo de Frontin, Railway bridge in Miguel Pereira, Brazil
The Viaduto Paulo de Frontin is an 82-metre-long railway viaduct with a metal truss structure forming a large arch over the Santana River, near the Vera Cruz road in Miguel Pereira. It stands 32 metres high and is built on a curve, in Belgian-designed ironwork.
Built in 1897 by the Estrada de Ferro Melhoramentos do Brasil, the viaduct passed to the Estrada de Ferro Central do Brasil in 1903 as part of its Linha Auxiliar. The line later came under the RFFSA, and the tourist train Trem Azul regularly crossed this stretch. The bridge is now deactivated.
The viaduct's name honours engineer Paulo de Frontin, one of those responsible for building the railway. After the line passed to RFFSA, the tourist Trem Azul (Blue Train) regularly crossed this stretch. Today the disused bridge is used by sportspeople for rappelling and bungee jumping.
The structure is located in Miguel Pereira and can be reached via the Vera Cruz road, where the main access point is situated. Visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain and view the construction from a safe distance.
The bridge is described as the only iron viaduct built on a curve in the world, a claim tied to its Belgian-designed truss arch over the Santana River. Since the line closed, it has been used by sportspeople for rappelling and bungee jumping.
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