Ponte Presidente Dutra, Road bridge between Juazeiro and Petrolina, Brazil.
Ponte Presidente Dutra is a road bridge that crosses the São Francisco River and connects Juazeiro in Bahia to Petrolina in Pernambuco. The structure spans roughly 800 meters and carries several tens of thousands of vehicles daily.
The structure was built in the 1950s and became the second prestressed concrete bridge in Brazil, designed by French engineer Eugéne Freyssinet. The structural calculations were performed in France, showing an important engineering partnership between nations.
The bridge connects two states and enables the movement of goods and people between the communities on either side of the river. It serves as a daily crossing point that shapes how residents live and work across the divide.
The bridge provides continuous access between the two cities and is passable at all hours. It is wise to expect slower movement during morning and evening rush times, so choosing a flexible crossing time can make the journey more pleasant.
When completed, the bridge featured a central section that could be raised to allow river vessels to pass, including the cargo ship Fernandes da Cunha. This movable section was later deactivated as river traffic declined.
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