Imagine 90000 vehicles a day struggling to cross the old bridge. This congestion spurred the creation of what we see before us the Nuevo Puente Pueyrredón.
Officially named Nuevo Puente Prilidiano Pueyrredón it stands as a vital artery. It connects Buenos Aires with Avellaneda.
This bridge isn’t just concrete and steel. It is a solution to a growing problem. The older Puente Pueyrredón simply couldn’t handle the traffic anymore. The Nuevo Puente Pueyrredón offered a new path across the Riachuelo River.
The Riachuelo also known as Matanza River lies beneath us. The Nuevo Puente Pueyrredón helps traffic flow smoothly. It eases the bottlenecks that once plagued the intersections of Hipólito Yrigoyen and Presidente Bartolomé Mitre avenues.
Engineer Lauro Laura from the Dirección Nacional de Vialidad spearheaded this project. He envisioned a bridge that would not only alleviate current congestion but also anticipate future growth. Laura did not align the bridge with existing streets. He foresaw the extension of Avenida 9 de Julio to the Riachuelo.
The construction of the Nuevo Puente Pueyrredón wasn’t without its challenges. Ninety-nine homes stood in the bridge’s path. These houses were expropiated before construction could begin. Empresa Argentina de Cemento Armado S.A. EACA won the construction bid.
The Nuevo Puente Pueyrredón officially opened on December 19 1969. The total cost was approximately 5.5 million US dollars.
The Nuevo Puente Pueyrredón stretches 1200 meters including its access points. The bridge itself spans 185 meters. It features two 15-meter wide roadways and pedestrian walkways. These walkways are 2.60 meters each. The bridge stands 10 meters above the water.
Originally the northern access ramp began at Montes de Oca Avenue. It curved to meet the bridge. The construction of the 9 de Julio Sur Highway later renamed President Arturo Frondizi Highway changed this. The original ramp was removed. A pedestrian bridge was demolished.
In the 2000s the Nuevo Puente Pueyrredón became a site for protests. Piqueteros often blocked the bridge to voice their demands. One protest on June 26 2002 ended tragically. Two protesters were killed near the Avellaneda railway station not far from here. This event is known as the Avellaneda massacre.
The Nuevo Puente Pueyrredón is more than just a crossing. It represents progress planning and at times struggle. As we look at this structure remember its history. Think about the people who built it. Consider the events that have unfolded here. It is a testament to Buenos Aires’ constant evolution.