The important bridge leading to the exit from the island of Santa Catarina is named after the former governor of Santa Catarina, Colombo Salles, who died last Tuesday (14) at the age of 97. The second of the three important bridges of Florianópolis was built during the reign of Salles.

The Colombo Salles Machado Bridge is named after the former governor of Santa Catarina, who died on Tuesday (14) at the age of 97. — Photo: Photo: Divulgação/Quantum/ND

Even though he had the name of a politician, he was not the one who put his name on the bridge, according to a report by Aleska (Legislative Assembly of Santa Catarina) published on YouTube in 2013.

As the former governor said in the report, it was Alyesk who suggested naming the bridge that way. The act of appointment was carried out by Atilio Fontana, vice-governor during the reign of Salles, at the time he assumed control of the state government.

Colombo Machado Salles receives his civil servant badge from the President of the Public Service Association, Aloysio de Almeida Gonçalves, 1974. – Photo: MPSC/Divulgação/ND

Going back in time: the history of the Florianópolis Bridge, Colombo Salles

When Salles took over as governor, the Hercílio Luz Bridge was the only bridge crossing the island-continent at the time.

Moreover, she was in a dangerous and overloaded state. In fact, a similar bridge collapsed across the Ohio River (USA), causing unrest in the Brazilian government in 1967.

Colombo Salles Bridge in the 70s – Photo: Collection/Casa da Memória/ND

Due to the need to build a new Colombo Bridge, Salles dedicated himself to carrying out the work. The bridge was built over four years and completed in 1975.

The concrete bridge, supported by columns, is 1,227 meters long and has four lanes running in the same direction.

The architectural design of the bridge was developed by the architect Pedro Paulo de Mello Saraiva (1933–2016), a native of Florianópolis.

On March 8, the opening of the Colombo Salles Bridge with a capacity of 60 thousand cars per day took place. That day a crowd gathered at the continental end of the bridge.

A crowd gathered at the Cape on the opening day of Colombo Salles, March 8, 1975. Photo: Disclosure/ND.