Notice anticipates duplication of BR-163 between Sinop and Guarantã do Norte

The new modeling reduces the expected period for carrying out the works from nine to seven years. It also concentrates part of the investments at the beginning of the concession, with an estimated R$3 billion invested in the first three years.

The change in the schedule was defended during public hearings and began to be treated as a priority by political leaders and representatives from the North region, who demanded that the duplication be brought forward due to the high flow of heavy vehicles and the risk of accidents on the stretch.

State deputy Diego Guimarães (Republicans), who followed the discussions on the notice, stated that the decision by the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) meets an old demand from the population.

"It was a historic victory. The duplication saves lives. ANTT understood the importance of duplicating the section of BR-163 from Sinop to Guarantã do Norte. It understood that we are not just discussing numbers or the flow of grain, we are talking about entire families who are in danger on a daily basis. This change in the contract is a victory of life over bureaucracy", he said.

Contract will be for 20 years

The initial proposal provided for a ten-year concession, with the main focus on highway maintenance. The new model now provides for a 20-year contract, which, according to technical discussions, allows for greater investment capacity and anticipation of works.

The redesign of the concession occurred after the 2022 transition plan was exhausted. At the time, the model considered the expectation that Ferrogrão would assume a relevant part of the harvest flow this decade.

With the planned completion of the railway postponed until 2040, the flow of trucks on BR-163 increased above expectations. In 2023, registered traffic was 44% above projections, which accelerated pavement wear and increased the pressure for duplication.

"The North of Mato Grosso could no longer wait for a slow schedule, while lives are lost in head-on collisions. We managed to get the new notice to foresee the anticipation of the works and guarantee that every penny invested returns in safety and respect for the citizen", said Diego.

Work schedule

According to the schedule set out in the notice, the duplication fronts begin in the second year of the concession. The estimated average will be 41 kilometers duplicated per year.

In the second year, 20.1 kilometers are planned between Sinop and Cláudia, from km 868.6 to km 888.7.

In the third year, 30 kilometers of double carriageway should be built between Cláudia and Itaúba, from km 888.7 to km 918.7.

In the fourth year, the works advance over 50.3 kilometers in Guarantã do Norte, from km 1,064.0 to km 1,114.4.

In the fifth year, another 50.3 kilometers are planned between Peixoto de Azevedo, Matupá and Guarantã do Norte, from km 1,013.6 to km 1,064.0.

In the sixth year, the schedule foresees 55.3 kilometers between Nova Santa Helena and Terra Nova do Norte, from km 958.3 to km 1,013.6.

In the seventh year, the last 39.5 kilometers between Itaúba and Nova Santa Helena should be completed, from km 918.7 to km 958.3.

Target-conditioned toll

The notice also provides for control mechanisms over tariff adjustments. Under the tariff step system, the future concessionaire will only be able to apply certain adjustments, scheduled for the 13th and 25th months, if it proves the delivery of at least 90% of the engineering targets established for each period.

Inspection will be carried out in a special transition period during the first three years of the contract, with quarterly assessments.

If the concessionaire has a physical performance of less than 80%, the contract may trigger the consensual early termination mechanism, allowing the public authorities to resume administration of the highway without relying on lengthy legal disputes.

The new arrangement also provides for the conversion of R$54.5 million in old fines accumulated in investments within the Zero Carbon Program.

"Our fight was not just to bring forward the works. We also defended a contract that guaranteed inspection, transparency and responsibility of the concessionaire. The population no longer accepts promises without deadlines and without charge. Now we will have instruments to monitor each stage and demand that commitments are fulfilled", said Diego.

Follow-up

With the publication of the notice, the next stage will be the concession auction at B3. Diego Guimarães stated that he will continue to monitor the execution of the schedule planned for the stretch.

"The approval of the contract is an important step, but the real victory will be to see the machines working and the duplication becoming reality. Our commitment continues to be to ensure that each planned kilometer is delivered to the population and becomes asphalt on the track", he stated.