A significant milestone has been achieved with the first vehicle crossing the access viaduct of the Bioceanic Bridge, linking Paraguay with Brazil. The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) reported that a cement mixer truck traversed the platform to lay concrete for the anti-collision barriers and retaining walls supporting the pavement slabs on the left side of the Paraguayan access viaduct.
This symbolic event represents a visible step towards completing the infrastructure and integrating it with the main cable-stayed bridge, the MOPC highlighted. This large-scale project, financed by Itaipu Binacional (Paraguayan side), is considered a key element of the Bioceanic Road Corridor, a strategic route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Paraguayan Chaco. The project aims to boost international trade and regional development.
When the cement truck traversed, construction of the Bioceanic Bridge – linking Carmelo Peralta, Paraguay, with Puerto Murtinho, Brazil – is approximately 80% complete.
Technical details
According to a technical report by the Binational Consortium PYBRA, under the supervision of the MOPC, work on the access embankment involved earthworks with cemented base and subgrade excavation between kilometres 3.9 and 4.1. On the access viaducts, anti-collision and anti-suicide barriers progressed to span 8 on both sides. The anti-collision barrier reached span 8 on the right side and span 5 on the left side.
Meanwhile, prefabricated slab production for the Paraguayan side continues uninterrupted. On main pier number 13, on the Paraguayan side, segments D4 and D4′, corresponding to the central and lateral spans, have been completed. The masts reached level 24 on both sides, representing 88.9% progress out of a total of 27 levels. Regarding the cables, T1/T1′, T2/T2′, and T3/T3′ have been installed on both sides.
On pier number 14, located on the Brazilian side, segments D6 and D6′ have been completed, with formwork and reinforcement prepared for D7 and D7′. There, the masts reached 100% completion with all 27 levels completed on both sides, and cables have been installed up to T6/T6′. Of the 83 planned segments for the bridge, 18 are complete, representing 21.69% progress in this key component of the superstructure.
Regional Impact
The Bioceanic Bridge will not only be a physical link between Paraguay and Brazil, but also a hub for regional integration. Its impact will be felt through reduced logistics costs, enhanced Paraguayan competitiveness, and the opening of a new bioceanic trade corridor transforming the economic dynamics of the Southern Cone.
