São Francisco River
The great river.
The Presidente Eurico Gaspar Dutra Bridge crosses the São Francisco, one of Brazil's longest rivers, linking Petrolina in Pernambuco with Juazeiro in Bahia on the opposite bank and joining two states and two twin cities in the heart of the sertão. One source says the bridge opened in 1954, while others date its construction to 1947–49. It is about 801 metres long over nineteen spans, with a 33.5-metre movable section that once let boats through, and Ilha do Fogo, the island where the bridge stands, lies between the two cities. In 2025 the navy supported a technical review of the bridge, and plans for 2026 include widening it as part of the Juazeiro urban crossing. The bridge looks its best from the riverfronts of both cities, especially at sunset over the São Francisco.
The great river.
For boats.
From both banks.
Over the São Francisco River between Petrolina (Pernambuco) and Juazeiro (Bahia)
Petrolina in Pernambuco and Juazeiro in Bahia.