São Paulo state authorizes studies for highway expansion

São Paulo state authorized highway operator Ecovias to carry out studies for a potential third lane of the Imigrantes highway, which connects the coastal region with the state capital.

Ecovias, a subsidiary of highway group Ecorodovias, holds the concession contract for the Anchieta-Imigrantes highway system, comprising an extension of around 177km. The Imigrantes highway has an extension of 58.5km.

“The Anchieta-Imigrantes system receives a large flow of vehicles daily and this demand has grown over the years. With this authorization to begin studies, we’re planning long-term structural actions to resolve mobility bottlenecks," said Rafael Benini, head of the state’s investment partnerships office, in a statement.

The studies are expected to be completed in 24 months, which can be extended for another 12 months. The state government will then evaluate the project’s feasibility and decide if it will be included in the works under Ecovias’ concession contract. Ecorodovias will finance the studies, which will include traffic, topographic and geological assessments and surveys, among others.

Environmental impact studies and an environmental impact report will also be produced.

LINKS WITH SANTOS PORT 

In addition to being used by tourists, the Anchieta-Imigrantes system is the main connection between the metropolitan region and the port of Santos, which is the largest in Brazil.

The state and the federal government are advancing a series of logistical projects for Santos that will increase truck traffic at the port in the next few years.

In December, BNamericas attended a session in the state’s legislature to discuss building an underwater road tunnel connecting the Santos and Guarujá coastal cities, a project associated with the logistics plans for Santos port. Several legislators said they were in favor of the highway expansion option to improve the traffic situation.