The Río de Janeiro-Niteroi bridge - Brazil

Abstract

This bridge, later given the name of the former Brazilian President Costa e Silva— as the construction was initiated during his term of office — signifies the completion of one of the most ambitious and demanding civil engineering projects in South America. Not only is It important on account of its length —the bridge crosses Guanabara Bay from the city of Río de Janeiro to the prosperous and expansive city of Niteroi on the opposite shore—, but also because of its strategic situation which makes it possible to connect the highway network of the south of the country with those of the north, thus creating a continuous line of Communications stretching along 4,000 km on the Atlantic coast. The bridge, 13,900 m long —8,900 of which are over the water—, is the fifth longest in the world, and in its central part has a span of 300 m and a height of 60 m, which allows access and departure of large ships in the Guanabara Bay. Most certainly it will play of role of vital importance in the future development of Brazil.