Friendship Bridge (Brazil–Paraguay)

The Friendship Bridge is an arch bridge connecting the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu and the Paraguayan city of Ciudad [del Este].

History and importance

The bridge construction treaty was signed on May 29, 1956, by the governments of Brazil and Paraguay. On November 14, 1956, the commission responsible for the project's design and execution was established. At the time of its construction in 1962, the bridge held the world record for the longest span for a reinforced concrete, fixed-arch bridge, at 290 meters.
The bridge is very important to the economies of both Foz do Iguaçu and Ciudad del Este.
BR-277 begins immediately after the end of the bridge in the Brazilian side, and National Route N° 7 in the Paraguayan side.

Smuggling

The Friendship Bridge is a major point for smuggling in the region, with Brazilians coming to purchase goods from Paraguay as Paraguay does not impose tariffs on foreign goods. Brazil has been imposing stricter border security to try and crack down on it.