Brazil's DNIT reopens and repairs bridges on federal highways

The National Department of Infrastructure (DNIT) partially reopened the bridge over the Rio Pindaré on the BR‑316 corridor, allowing only light vehicles, ambulances and vans to cross at a maximum speed of 40 km/h while heavy trucks and buses remain prohibited. The bridge, known locally as “Ponte dos Índios,” has been closed since early March after corrosion was detected beneath its central span.

In the state of Rio Grande do Norte, DNIT also restored pedestrian access on a footbridge over the BR‑101 in Parnamirim after installing new safety screens and completing repainting work. The structure had been shut for nearly four months following a fall incident.

Separately, the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) ordered DNIT to submit, within ten days, a detailed schedule for reconstruction of the bridge over the Rio Paraíba in Santa Rita and reinforcement works on the bridge over the Rio Mamanguape, both on the BR‑101. The MPF will conduct a technical engineering inspection to assess maintenance failures and identify responsible contractors.