Paraguay and Brazil are preparing to open the Integration Bridge (Puente de la Integración) by mid-December 2025. The long-awaited structure will connect the city of Presidente Franco in Paraguay with Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil, creating a new route for trade, tourism, and regional cooperation across the Triple Frontier.
A new link between Paraguay and Brazil
The Integration Bridge is nearly ready after years of joint effort between both nations. Engineers completed the main structure earlier, but delays in final road connections and safety works postponed the opening.
According to the Paraguayan director of Itaipu, Justo Zacarías, the bridge will open gradually in the first half of December. Both countries are planning an official inauguration ceremony with the presence of their presidents.
On the Paraguayan side, all access routes and supporting infrastructure are finished. Brazil is finalising complementary works, expected to be completed by 30 November 2025. The route via the Monday River will serve as a temporary access road from Presidente Franco to the new bridge until all systems are fully operational.
The integration bridge: a symbol of connection
Once open, the Integration Bridge will help relieve congestion on the Friendship Bridge, the only current crossing between the two nations. It will handle both light and heavy vehicles, depending on customs and transit agreements that both countries still need to confirm.
Authorities view the bridge as more than just infrastructure. It symbolises cooperation, unity, and progress in the Alto Paraná region. The new crossing is expected to boost trade, create jobs, and strengthen cultural and economic ties between Paraguay and Brazil.
Itaipu says the project supports regional integration, linking infrastructure development with sustainable border growth. It will become one of the most important transport arteries in the region.
Next steps and upcoming milestones
Brazil’s pending works are scheduled to conclude by 30 November 2025, after which the bridge will be fully operational. The next Paraguayan-Brazilian Joint Commission meeting will take place on 18 November 2025 to coordinate final logistics, security measures, and the inauguration schedule.
Officials are also evaluating when to authorise the pedestrian crossing and cargo transport. A staged activation will ensure safety and smooth operations as the bridge begins service.
The opening of the Integration Bridge marks a milestone for Paraguay’s connectivity and development. From the streets of Presidente Franco to the bustling avenues of Foz do Iguaçu, this new bridge will not only shorten distances – it will strengthen the bond between two nations that continue to grow together. It also forms part of Paraguay’s wider drive for progress, supported by new government investments of US$690 million in infrastructure and US$500 million in healthcare, aimed at improving quality of life and sustaining long-term growth.
