The Hercílio Luz Bridge was inaugurated on May 13, 1926, after four years of construction. Designed by American engineer David Bernard Steinman, it was built using cutting-edge technology for its time, featuring a suspension bridge system with eyebar chains, one of the most advanced bridge engineering methods in the world during the 1920s. At 819.5 meters long (with a 339 m main span), it became, at the time of its inauguration, the largest suspension bridge of its kind in the WORLD and remains to this day the largest suspension bridge in BRAZIL. Beyond its technical grandeur, the bridge represented an enormous financial effort for Santa Catarina: the project cost consumed nearly twice the state’s annual budget at the time.

For Floripa, the bridge was much more than an engineering project: it symbolized progress, connection to the mainland, and the end of the logistical isolation of Santa Catarina Island! Hercílio Luz, the governor who gave the bridge its name, envisioned the project precisely to improve the movement of people, food, and services, preparing the city for future growth.

But time was not especially kind to the bridge… Over the years, it faced serious structural problems and stopped receiving vehicle traffic in 1982. Because of major safety concerns, the bridge had to be closed to vehicles that same year, beginning a decades-long saga. The restoration became one of the largest bridge restoration projects ever carried out in Latin America: complete replacement of the eyebar chains, foundation reinforcements, replacement of longitudinal beams, full review of the metal structures, industrial repainting… practically a brand-new bridge built over the original one.

Finally, on December 30, 2019, after years of anticipation, the bridge reopened fully restored. Today, it is 100% revitalized, open to pedestrians, cyclists, and special events, and more photogenic than ever! On weekends, the bridge is also closed to cars, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy a peaceful walk across it while taking in the stunning views.