Brazil's DNIT Partially Reopens Tocantins River Bridge to Light Vehicles

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 25, Brazil's National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT) partially reopened the Tocantins River Bridge on the BR-235 highway, allowing light vehicles such as cars and motorcycles to pass. The bridge had been fully closed since May of this year due to structural concerns, a period of approximately three months.

The reopening is a controlled passage, and heavy vehicles remain prohibited. DNIT stated that technical assessments revealed irreversible severe damage to the bridge's concrete foundation, making reconstruction the only definitive solution. The partial reopening is merely a temporary measure to alleviate regional traffic pressure and does not indicate that the bridge has been repaired.

DNIT has installed sensors and monitoring systems on the bridge to conduct real-time surveillance of its structural stability. Should monitoring data exceed safety thresholds, closure measures will be re-implemented. Vehicles crossing must comply with speed limits and the prohibition on stopping on the bridge, with the Federal Highway Police responsible for on-site enforcement.

The bridge is located between Pedro Afonso and Tupiratins in the state of Tocantins, serving as a key link between the two locations. On May 18 of this year, DNIT banned trucks weighing over four tons from crossing, and on May 20, the bridge was fully closed. Load tests completed in July confirmed that the bridge cannot return to normal operation. DNIT is currently advancing the reconstruction project for a new bridge.