This scene is a portrait of the disdain with which the transition between RS and SC in the highlands of both states has been treated in recent decades. What used to be unreliable has now ceased to exist. The Goyabeira Bridge across the Pelotas River on the border between the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina ceased to exist. It used to be a daredevil challenge for those who faced the passage.

This woman crosses from one state to another along the river, supported by a rope, in the place where there was a bridge over the Pelotas River – Photo: Redes Sociais.

In April of this year, Governor Carlos Moises announced an investment of 12 million reais to complete part of Santa Catarina. The announcement was made during the launch of the Azul Linhas Aéreas flight to Correia Pinto Airport.

The Department of Public Infrastructure announced that the Goyabeiras Bridge will have a 160.4 meter long precast concrete structure. The overall width is 11.6m, with two lanes and two sidewalks on each side, separated by a concrete wall to protect pedestrians, the free sidewalk width will be 1.90m for the accessibility standard.

There was an unreliable bridge in place, swept away by the latest floods.

For more than three decades, many people have made real adventures in this place. Trucks drove through the bridge in an almost impossible gamble.

The position of the Goyabeiras bridge has always been precarious, but today it no longer exists. – Photo: Archive

More recently, even smaller cars could not pass through this section, given the conditions of the site.

Located in the region known as Campos de Cima da Serra, the bridge has been closed since May 2 this year. The ban affected the transportation of apples and timber, which is very common in the area.

Tourists from all over the world are faced with the situation because this is the shortest route indicated by the GPS to get from one state to another. Since this place is forbidden, tourists are forced to bypass Vakaria and Lajes, only to then get to the city to Sao Joaquim if they come from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Another option is to head to Sao José dos Ocentes or Bom Jardim da Serra. These routes greatly increase the stretch.