How to cross the wooden Puente del Rio San Pablo?
The bridge over the Ladrillero River (Puente sobre el Río Ladrillero) is a single-lane wooden bridge on Ruta Provincial A in Tierra del Fuego Province, in Argentina. The structure serves as the sole river crossing connecting inland Tierra del Fuego with the Atlantic coast near Cabo San Pablo. It is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
| Road facts: Río Ladrillero Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tierra del Fuego Province (Argentina) |
| Coordinates | 54°17'58.6"S 66°42'42.7"W |
| Bridge Type | Single-lane steel truss with longitudinal timber plank decking |
| Length | ~35 meters (115 ft) |
| Width | Single-vehicle clearance (~3.5 meters) |
| Surface | Parallel wooden planks on steel frame |
| Key Hazards | Zero lateral clearance, wet/icy timber slickness, unpaved gravel approaches |
Where is the Río Ladrillero Bridge located?
The bridge is situated along the unpaved corridor of Ruta Provincial A in eastern Tierra del Fuego, crossing the Ladrillero River near the entrance to local coastal reserves and Camping Miguel y Lucas.
What are the structural features of the bridge?
The crossing consists of a single-lane metal truss structure measuring approximately 35 meters in length. The driving surface is made of longitudinal timber planks laid parallel to the direction of travel over a steel frame, restricting transit to one vehicle at a time with no side passing room.
What hazards exist when driving across the bridge?
The main physical hazard is low tire traction on the wooden deck, which becomes slick when wet, muddy, or covered in sub-Antarctic frost and snow. The bridge alignment requires lining up vehicles straight before entry to avoid contact with the side steel trusses, as both approaches consist of loose gravel and mud ramps prone to rutting.