In a festive gathering with local communities, President Nayib Bukele inaugurated the San Antonio del Mosco and Carolina bridges in San Miguel, two major infrastructure projects built over the Torola River. “A couple of years ago we came to lay the first stone. Back then, they were just a drawing, a design. Today they are a reality,” Bukele said, praising the workers who made the projects possible and emphasizing that these works are a tangible sign of change in a region long overlooked by previous administrations.
The new bridges replace deteriorated crossings that once posed serious risks to residents, especially during rainy seasons when rising waters cut off access to schools, health centers, and markets. They are now poised to boost connectivity, commerce, and tourism in El Salvador’s eastern region. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will El Salvador be, but each day we place another stone in the country’s progress,” the president remarked, underscoring his administration’s commitment to sustained development.
The San Antonio Bridge spans 157 meters and represents an investment of $11.8 million, while the Carolina Bridge stretches 179.8 meters with a cost of $12.6 million, fully funded by the government. Both are modern cable-stayed structures built to high international standards, with a load capacity of 40 tons, illuminated pedestrian walkways, viewing areas, and tourist spaces designed to attract visitors. The bridges also feature advanced safety systems, including lightning protection and navigational warning lights.
Together, the projects will directly benefit over 6,000 residents from municipalities such as San Antonio, Carolina, San Luis de la Reina, and Torola, while creating indirect opportunities for thousands more through improved logistics, reduced travel times, and expanded economic activity. Bukele highlighted their strategic location, just a few kilometers from the Honduran border, noting their potential to promote cross-border tourism and trade in the future.
Beyond the bridges, the government is committing $12.9 million to social works in nearby communities, including new schools, community centers, recreational sites, sports facilities, and health clinics. These efforts form part of a broader $37.5 million investment aimed at enhancing quality of life in the region. “These bridges are for everyone, but especially for the people here, who now have the infrastructure they deserve,” Bukele affirmed. “Governing means improving people’s lives, and we will continue building for every community in this country.”