10°14′50″N85°14′45″W / 10.24722°N 85.24583°W /10.24722; -85.24583
Puente La Amistad de Taiwán | |
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| Coordinates | 10°14′50″N85°14′45″W / 10.2472°N 85.2458°W /10.2472; -85.2458 |
| Carries | Two lanes of roadway and sidewalks |
| Crosses | Tempisque River |
| Official name | Puente La Amistad de Taiwán |
| Other name | Puente de la Amistad |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed bridge and pillars |
| Total length | 780 metres |
| Width | 13.3 metres |
| Longest span | 170 meters |
| Location | |
 Interactive map of Puente La Amistad de Taiwán | |
Puente La Amistad de Taiwán (English: "Taiwan Friendship Bridge") spans theTempisque River, onNational Route 18, inGuanacaste, northernCosta Rica. Although generally known as acable-stayed bridge, it is really a hybrid bridge composed of a cable-stayed span and a pillar-supported bridge. The cable-stayed section has two spans of 170 and 90 metres, supported by an 80-metre-high pylon. The total length of the bridge is 780 metres with eight supporting pillars and the pylon. The bridge was completed in2003.
The bridge was financed and designed byTaiwan and built primarily by the Taiwanese companyMAA, with participation of Costa Rican engineers and workers. It has a particular importance for the province of Guanacaste for it facilitates transit from the capital city ofSan José. Prior to the construction of the bridge, this route required the use of ferries to cross theTempisque River, or long alternate land routes.
Recent Costa Rican studies have found some problems in the structure that have required increased maintenance.
The bridge has been known colloquially asPuente de la Apuñalada (Back stab Bridge) since former Costa Rican PresidentÓscar Arias cut off relations with Taiwan in favour of China.[1]
Puente La Amistad was damaged on 5 September 2012 by the2012 Costa Rica earthquake.[2]
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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