Integration Bridge expands hours; truckers suspend protest

The protest began on Monday, August 3, when a new phase of bridge opening was supposed to start. Carriers blocked the Brazilian side demanding that large-size trucks travel during daylight, forcing vehicles to return to Ciudad del Este and use the International Friendship Bridge.

Truckers' representatives met by videoconference with Brazilian federal authorities on Monday afternoon, but no agreement was reached. The group had announced it would keep the mobilization until the next meeting of the Paraguay-Brazil Mixed Commission, scheduled for October 12. On Tuesday, however, they abandoned the protest and said they will pause until that bilateral meeting.

With the schedule expansion approved by the Mixed Commission, empty medium-size trucks can now depart Paraguay between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. via the Integration Bridge; the return with cargo remains exclusively on the International Friendship Bridge. Large-size trucks without cargo remain restricted to nighttime hours, but with a widened window: operations now start at 8:30 p.m. (previously 10 p.m.) and run until 5 a.m.

Brazilian carriers continue to request permission for medium and large trucks to operate during daylight. They say drivers who cannot cross within the available window face several-hour waits without basic infrastructure such as restrooms and trash bins.

Passenger transport was also opened: since Tuesday, the international urban service between Presidente Franco and Foz do Iguaçu is operating. Closed-circuit services and regular international lines run 24 hours a day, within the gradual expansion of the new corridor.

Source: 100fronteiras.com — https://100fronteiras.com/triplice-fronteira/noticia/caminhoneiros-suspendem-protesto-e-ponte-da-integracao-amplia-horarios-de-circulacao