MG Bridge Closure: Traffic Halted Due to Cracks & Shear Risk | Route Updates
- Thursday, February 5, 2026 – Authorities in Minas Gerais, Brazil, have fully closed a bridge over the Rio Grande River, impacting traffic between Conceição das Alagoas in Minas...
- The decision to close the bridge follows a new inspection conducted on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, according to engineer Luiz Fernando Figueiredo Freire, from the Special Works Projects...
- This full closure comes after traffic was initially restricted on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when cracks were discovered in one of the bridge’s pillars.
Bridge Closure in Brazil Disrupts Traffic Between Minas Gerais and São Paulo
– Authorities in Minas Gerais, Brazil, have fully closed a bridge over the Rio Grande River, impacting traffic between Conceição das Alagoas in Minas Gerais and Miguelópolis in São Paulo. The closure began at 6:00 PM local time.
The decision to close the bridge follows a new inspection conducted on , according to engineer Luiz Fernando Figueiredo Freire, from the Special Works Projects Nucleus of the Minas Gerais Road Department (DER-MG). A detailed analysis, including underwater testing and concrete analysis, is planned to assess the structure’s condition. “Initially, there are no problems in the submerged part. The cracks are concentrated above the water level and near the longeron support,” Freire reportedly stated.
This full closure comes after traffic was initially restricted on , when cracks were discovered in one of the bridge’s pillars. At that time, vehicles weighing a maximum of four tons were permitted to cross.
Shear Indication Found
The inspection on revealed indications of shear in one of the pillars, potentially caused by excessive weight. Shear is described as a type of mechanical stress where one part of a material slides over another.
The bridge, which spans 540 meters in length and 7.84 meters in width, was originally constructed in 1974 by a regional power plant and does not officially fall under the jurisdiction of DER-MG. Despite this, the DER-MG has announced alternative routes to ensure driver safety.
Route 1 directs drivers to follow MG-427 to Planura, then access BR-364 (which becomes SP-326 in São Paulo) to Barretos (SP), and finally utilize SP-425 to Guaíra.
Route 2 instructs drivers to take MG-427 towards Uberaba, access BR-050 to Delta, cross the border into São Paulo, follow SP-330 towards Ituverava, and then access SP-385 to Miguelópolis.
The closure raises concerns about bridge infrastructure and the potential for failure due to scour, where the risk is defined as the potential for bridge failure. According to the Federal Highway Administration, bridge failure due to scour is a significant risk.
Increasing numbers of bridges are deteriorating due to corrosion of prestressing strands, overload traffic, and natural aging. A failure of a tension member, such as a bottom flange and web, could lead to a complete collapse of the structure, according to AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (2010).
The situation highlights the importance of ongoing bridge maintenance and inspection to prevent structural issues and ensure public safety. The DER-MG has not yet announced a timeline for reopening the bridge, pending the results of the detailed analysis.