In the presence of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and ministers, the Brazil-Paraguay Integration International Bridge was inaugurated this Friday (19), which connects Foz do Iguaçu (PR) to the city of Presidente Franco, in Paraguay. 
The work, which had resources from the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), had an investment of R$1.9 billion from both countries, including R$712 million financed by Itaipu Binacional. According to the government, traffic is already open but only for unloaded trucks in both directions, in the first phase.
“I hope that many people from Paraguay will visit Brazil and that many people from Brazil will come to visit Paraguay. And that many products produced in Paraguay will come to Brazil, just as products from Brazil can go to Paraguay. Because both economies need to grow and our people need to improve their quality of life”, highlighted Lula, during the inauguration.
The official event took place at the new Brazil-Paraguay customs office, and marked the delivery of the second road connection over the Paraná River between the two nations, six decades after the inauguration of the Friendship Bridge, which connects Foz do Iguaçu to Cidade do Leste, neighboring Presidente Franco.
The Friendship Bridge has been overloaded for years, with a daily flow of 100,000 people and 45,000 vehicles, according to the Federal Revenue Service.
The Integration Bridge is 760 meters long and has a clearance of 470 meters, the largest on the continent, in addition to two simple lanes each 3.6 meters wide. The cable-stayed structure is supported by two 190-meter-high towers, the equivalent of buildings with approximately 54 floors.
During the delivery of the work, the Minister of Transport, Renan Filho, detailed that all logistics around the bridge on the Brazilian side are ready to work.
“The bridge is 100% ready, the Federal Revenue Service is prepared to work, the Federal Police is also prepared. The works on the Brazilian side are ready, the perimeter highway that gives access to the bridge is also 100% completed. And, starting tomorrow [sábado]we are going to release the flow of trucks over the bridge”, he said.
Steps
In the initial stage, which began today, the crossing will only be for unloaded trucks, known as “in ballast”, following specific schedules coordinated by the Federal Revenue Service and Federal Highway Police.
Chartered tour buses will be allowed to travel soon. The operation times will be published by the competent bodies. Gradual release is also a way to ensure safety and adaptation of inspection bodies.
Full release for cargo vehicles is scheduled to occur between the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027, subject to the completion of the Corridor Metropolitano del Este, on the Paraguayan side, which will guarantee full access infrastructure.
