Rio Grande do Sul state to invest US$230mn in roads

Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state approved an investment of 1.3bn reais (US$230mn) to improve roads in the Vale do Taquari and northern regions of the state, two of the areas most affected by the unprecedented floods earlier this year.

"This measure is crucial to ensure investments in truly resilient infrastructure, such as the construction of higher bridges, in these regions that are so heavily affected by the rains," Pedro Capeluppi, the state secretary for reconstruction, said in a statement.

The investment includes widening works for seven roads, reconstruction and elevation of 16 bridges, and pavement improvements, the state government said in a statement.

The road investments will be made after a concession process that is being structured by federal development bank BNDES.

They are currently operated by the state’s road department.

The rains that hit Rio Grande do Sul in May lasted for weeks and affected infrastructure in large parts of the state.