Drivers traveling on BR-040, in Itaipava, a district of Petrópolis, should exercise extra caution this Wednesday (6). The Ponte do Arranha-Céu will be completely closed to traffic from 13 pm to 18:30 pm for work on the electrical network, with a direct impact on the flow between the highway and Estrada União e Indústria.
The road closure was requested by Enel, which will be removing utility poles in the area. According to Elovias, the concessionaire responsible for the road, the blockage is necessary to ensure the safety of users during the work.
During the closure period, drivers should use alternative routes. For those heading towards Juiz de Fora, access will be via km 62 of the BR-040 highway, near the Itaipava street market. For those heading towards Rio de Janeiro, the options are access via km 61 in Catobira, and also via km 62.
The concessionaire also informed that the U-turn at km 58 of the BR-040 highway, which connects the lanes in both directions (Rio and Juiz de Fora), will continue to operate normally.
Elovias emphasizes that this is a temporary closure. The permanent closure of the Skyscraper Bridge is scheduled to begin on May 11th, when the dismantling of the current structure will begin for the construction of a new bridge.
The new project envisions a wider bridge, measuring 15,6 meters, including a traffic lane in each direction. This change will allow the circulation of cargo vehicles, currently prohibited at the location, and will also improve traffic flow.
Another highlight is the construction of sidewalks for pedestrians on both sides of the bridge. Currently, crossing is done alongside cars, which poses a risk to residents and road users.
To speed up the work and reduce traffic impact, the new structure is being built with prefabricated parts, which allowed work to begin without road closures at the start of construction.
The construction of the new Skyscraper Bridge has been brought forward by the concessionaire. Initially scheduled for 2030 in the concession contract, the project has become a priority due to its importance for mobility, safety, and the economy of the region.
The new bridge is expected to be completed by October 2026.
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