From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Libertador General San Martín Bridge is a
cantilever road bridge that
crosses the Uruguay
River and joins Argentina and Uruguay. It runs between Puerto Unzué, near Gualeguaychú, Entre
Ríos Province, Argentina, and Fray Bentos, Río
Negro Department, Uruguay, with a total length of 5,966 meters
(3.7 mi) (4,220 meters (13,845 ft) in Argentine
jurisdiction and 1,146 meters (3,760 ft) in Uruguayan
territory).
Studies for the construction of a bridge over the Uruguay River
were started in 1960 by a joint commission, which decided that the
best place for it would be between Puerto Unzué and Fray Bentos. In
1967 the two countries signed an agreement ratifying the location,
and in 1972 the construction contract was awarded to the
International Bridge Consortium (Consorcio Puente
Internacional), setting the cost at $
21.7 million , then adjusted upwards.
The bridge is named after José de San Martín, a major figure
in the struggle for independence in Argentina, Chile and Peru. It
was officially inaugurated on September 16, 1976. It was opened for
public use and the next day it started functioning under a toll regime.
References
See also
Coordinates: 33°6′2.0″S 58°14′55.3″W / 33.10056°S
58.248694°W / -33.10056;
-58.248694