Bridge
"You leave, on your journey through good lands, spacious pantries full of the one who has understood you. You have had the admiration of native and foreign people, and in the course of the years, for your valuable contribution, it is becoming more famous San Antonio de los Baños’’. So sang José Marichal, ‘’El Sinsonte de Govea’’, in Ariguanabo. Today, we will deal with the history of various bridges that still allow the crossing over the river.
Efforts to build the Bridge of ‘’La Calle Real’’, today ‘’Martí’’, began on May 6th, 1796. After overcoming some obstacles, a popular subscription for its building was opened. A few days later, they had collected more than 800 pesos; therefore it was thought doing it of stone instead of wood. Then 4500 pesos were needed. On January 30th, 1801, the Council agreed to address The Priors’ and members of the Royal Consulate, asking for funds in advance for the construction of the bridge.
Favorably resolved the financial request, it was initiated the construction of the bridge on ‘’La Calle Real’’ in the early months of 1803. The work was completed on May 6th, 1803. It was received by the Council and the Superior Civil Government, after the expert examination made by the engineer, Lieutenant Colonel Agustín de Ibarra, in the midst of a popular procession on May 27th, 1803.