Puente de la Amistad Costa Rica-Taiwan

Infobox_Bridge
bridge_name= Taiwan-Costa Rica's Friendship Bridge


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carries= 2 lanes of roadway and sidewalks
crosses= Tempisque River
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design= Cable-stayed bridge and pillars
mainspan= 170 meters
length= 780 meters
width= 13.3 meters
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long= The Puente de la Amistad de Costa Rica-Taiwan (English: "Costa Rica-Taiwan Friendship Bridge") spans the Tempisque River, in Guanacaste, northern Costa Rica. Although generally known as a cable-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 meters, supported by a 80 meter high pylon. The total length of the bridge is 780 meters with eight supporting pillars and the pylon. The bridge was completed in .

The bridge was financed and designed by Taiwan, and built primarily by the Taiwanese company RSEA, 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 of San José. Prior to the construction of the bridge, this route required the use ferries to cross the Tempisque River, or long alternate land routes.

Recent Costa Rican studies have found some problems in the structure which have required increased maintenance.

Ever since current Costa Rican President Oscar Arias cut off relationships with Taiwan, the bridge is now colloquially known as "Puente de la Apuñalada" (Back stab Bridge).

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