Brazil's EcoRodovias widens highway lead with new concession win

Brazilian infrastructure group EcoRodovias expanded its highway concessions footprint by adding the São Paulo-state Nova Raposo roads to its portfolio.

The group won an auction on Thursday in São Paulo and will pay 2.2bn reais (US$363mn) for the 30-year concession. It also committed another 8bn reais in investments during the contract period.

With this win, the group reaches over 4,800km of highways under administration, the largest network of any operator, and acquired its fourth concession in São Paulo state alone.

EcoRodovias promised to convert all toll plazas to the free flow model, starting in the third year of the contract.

The Nova Raposo lot comprises 92km of stretches of four highways crossing 10 cities in São Paulo.

Controlled by the ASTM Group, EcoRodovias now manages 11 highway concessions in eight states in all regions of the country.

Connectivity

In related news, Brazil's three leading telecom operators committed to a model of common coverage along highways, or roaming between their own networks, to improve the poor connectivity along Brazilian roads.

The topic was debated at the InfraESG event, which took place in São Paulo on Thursday and was promoted by telecoms regulator Anatel, terrestrial transport regulator ANTT and the transport ministry. 

The event’s main sponsors were EcoRodovias and highway concessionaires association ABCR.

It brought together TIM CEO Alberto Griselli, Claro's president José Félix, and Vivo's VP of regulatory affairs Camilla Tapias. 

All defended the sharing of coverage along highways, saying that they have made progress in talks to this end. 

The issue was also mentioned by Anatel board member Alexandre Freire, who is the rapporteur of a proposed regulation for roaming along highways, expected to be formally debated at the agency in February 2025.

TIM has most contracts with concessionaires for dedicated highway coverage, especially with 4G.

Among TIM’s most recent deals was one signed with Eco Noroeste Paulista, part of the EcoRodovias group, for 4G deployment along 597km of roads in São Paulo state. TIM also has contracts for EcoRodovias operated roads in Goiás and Tocantins states, among others.

And the telco has contracts for highway connectivity with infrastructure groups CCR, Way and EPR.

Participants at the summit also discussed innovative and sustainable practices regarding road transportation and saw the launch of the Atlas of the Brazilian Association of Highway Concessionaires, which presents an overview of investments and the current status of sustainability actions implemented by concessionaires.