Oyapock River Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Oyapock River Bridge is cable-stayed bridge built and expected to be inaugurated in 2011. It will span the Oyapock River
to link the cities of Oiapoque
in Brazil
and Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock in French Guiana
.
Though there were plans to build this bridge as far back as 1997, it was only after nearly 10 years of stalling and talks that a model of the bridge between France and Brazil was finally unveiled by French president Nicolas Sarkozy
and Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
on February 14th, 2008.
The site chosen for the positioning of the bridge will require a length of 378 meters, which will include a span of approximately 200 meters over water. Valued at R$ 62.1 million (aproximatelly US$ 50 million), work on the construction of the international bridge is slated to be completed within 16 months.
Construction of the bridge is being undertaken by a partnership between EGESA and the Consórcio Metropolitano de Transportes - CMT, both of which are headquartered in Brasilia. The Professor Carlos Augusto Bittencourt Foundation - FUNCAB (based in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro) was hired to oversee the environmental engineering of the project, so that the construction of the bridge does not harm the natural environment. The bridge is part of the Guianese Shield Hub of the Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America. The construction of this bridge came after the signing of an international treaty between France and Brazil in July 2005. Furthermore, the connection between Route N2 and BR-156 is yet another initiative undertaken under the scope of the Brazilian government's PAC (Growth Acceleration Plan) infrastructure project.
This bridge is the first land crossing (ferries have been used historically) along the border between France and Brazil, and indeed it is the first terrestrial crossing between French Guiana and of its neighbors in northern South America. Currently, there is a good ferry that crosses the Maroni River
between French Guyana and Suriname
that links Albina, in Suriname, with Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni
in French Guyana. It is also possible to travel from Albina to Georgetown (Guyana) by highway; it is planned to build a bridge between Suriname and Guyana http://rjrnewsonline.com/news/regional/guyanasuriname-bridge, replacing the current ferry. Onwards to Venezuela, one can only travel by sea, but a road link is planned http://www.guyanachronicle.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16401:guyana-venezuela-advance-proposed-road-link-other-projects&catid=4:top-story&Itemid=8. In this case, it will be possible to drive from Macapá
to Venezuela and Colombia with only one ferry crossing.
Though the Oyapock Bridge is slated to be inaugurated in early 2012 http://www.jornal.us/article-5922.Informe-MRE-Comunidades-Brasileiras-no-Exterior.html, the DNIT, the Brazilian transportation department, has not received notice about the inauguration date, and has clarified that the decision regarding the date was political and not technical. As soon as the highway is opened to traffic, it will be possible to drive on uninterrupted, paved roadways from Cayenne
to Macapá
, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amapá
.
Gouvernement Francais Bridge on Oct. 20, 2011
Oyapock River
The Oyapock or Oiapoque River is a 370-km long river in South America that forms most of the border between French Guiana and the Brazilian state of Amapá...
to link the cities of Oiapoque
Oiapoque
Oiapoque is a municipality in the north of the state of Amapá, Brazil. Its population is 11,449 and its area is 22,625 km². Oiapoque is also a major river in the same state, forming the international border with French Guiana...
in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock in French Guiana
French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It has borders with two nations, Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west...
.
Though there were plans to build this bridge as far back as 1997, it was only after nearly 10 years of stalling and talks that a model of the bridge between France and Brazil was finally unveiled by French president Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier....
and Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , known popularly as Lula, served as the 35th President of Brazil from 2003 to 2010.A founding member of the Workers' Party , he ran for President three times unsuccessfully, first in the 1989 election. Lula achieved victory in the 2002 election, and was inaugurated as...
on February 14th, 2008.
The site chosen for the positioning of the bridge will require a length of 378 meters, which will include a span of approximately 200 meters over water. Valued at R$ 62.1 million (aproximatelly US$ 50 million), work on the construction of the international bridge is slated to be completed within 16 months.
Construction of the bridge is being undertaken by a partnership between EGESA and the Consórcio Metropolitano de Transportes - CMT, both of which are headquartered in Brasilia. The Professor Carlos Augusto Bittencourt Foundation - FUNCAB (based in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro) was hired to oversee the environmental engineering of the project, so that the construction of the bridge does not harm the natural environment. The bridge is part of the Guianese Shield Hub of the Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America. The construction of this bridge came after the signing of an international treaty between France and Brazil in July 2005. Furthermore, the connection between Route N2 and BR-156 is yet another initiative undertaken under the scope of the Brazilian government's PAC (Growth Acceleration Plan) infrastructure project.
This bridge is the first land crossing (ferries have been used historically) along the border between France and Brazil, and indeed it is the first terrestrial crossing between French Guiana and of its neighbors in northern South America. Currently, there is a good ferry that crosses the Maroni River
Maroni River
The Maroni or Marowijne is a river in South America. It originates in the Tumuk Humak Mountains and forms the border between French Guiana and Suriname...
between French Guyana and Suriname
Suriname
Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...
that links Albina, in Suriname, with Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni is a commune of French Guiana, an overseas region and department of France located in South America. Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni is one of the two sub-prefectures of French Guiana and the seat of the Arrondissement of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni...
in French Guyana. It is also possible to travel from Albina to Georgetown (Guyana) by highway; it is planned to build a bridge between Suriname and Guyana http://rjrnewsonline.com/news/regional/guyanasuriname-bridge, replacing the current ferry. Onwards to Venezuela, one can only travel by sea, but a road link is planned http://www.guyanachronicle.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16401:guyana-venezuela-advance-proposed-road-link-other-projects&catid=4:top-story&Itemid=8. In this case, it will be possible to drive from Macapá
Macapá
Macapá is a Brazilian city, capital of Amapá state. Located in the North Region, it is the only state capital that has no highway connections with other capitals...
to Venezuela and Colombia with only one ferry crossing.
Though the Oyapock Bridge is slated to be inaugurated in early 2012 http://www.jornal.us/article-5922.Informe-MRE-Comunidades-Brasileiras-no-Exterior.html, the DNIT, the Brazilian transportation department, has not received notice about the inauguration date, and has clarified that the decision regarding the date was political and not technical. As soon as the highway is opened to traffic, it will be possible to drive on uninterrupted, paved roadways from Cayenne
Cayenne
Cayenne is the capital of French Guiana, an overseas region and department of France located in South America. The city stands on a former island at the mouth of the Cayenne River on the Atlantic coast. The city's motto is "Ferit Aurum Industria" which means "Work brings wealth"...
to Macapá
Macapá
Macapá is a Brazilian city, capital of Amapá state. Located in the North Region, it is the only state capital that has no highway connections with other capitals...
, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amapá
Amapá
Amapá is one of the states of Brazil, located in the extreme north, bordering French Guiana and Suriname to the north. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean, and to the south and west is the Brazilian state of Pará. Perhaps one of the main features of the state is the River Oiapoque, as it was once...
.
External links
France 24 - A bridge between Europe and Latin AmericaGouvernement Francais Bridge on Oct. 20, 2011