Bioceanic Bridge linking Brazil and Paraguay nears completion, access roads pending

The 1,294‑metre International Bioceanic Bridge spanning the Paraguay River connects Porto Murtinho in Brazil's Mato Grosso do Sul with Carmelo Peralta in Paraguay. The final concrete slab has been placed, allowing the structure to enter its last construction phase, with work now focused on sealing, paving, lighting, signage and safety barriers.

Brazil still needs to build a 13.1 km access road from BR‑267 to the bridge, an effort estimated at roughly R$ 250 million and not yet budgeted, with completion projected for 2027. Paraguay is paving the 3.8 km link to highway PY‑15, expected to finish by November. The bridge is a key element of the Brazil‑Paraguay‑Argentina‑Chile bioceanic corridor, which aims to cut Brazil‑Asia shipping routes by up to 17 days and reduce distance by about 7,000 km. The overall project, financed partly by Itaipú Binacional and costing around US$ 103 million (R$ 472 million total), is 38 % complete and will require further customs integration and road upgrades in the neighboring countries.