BR-163: Infrastructure Advances Transform Transport and Save Lives in Brazil

In a recent interview with the national media Poder360, Bruno Dantas, president of the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), emphasized the crucial importance of the BR-163 highway for Brazil's economic development. Dantas stated that the transfer of corporate control of Rota do Oeste to MT Par has been a decisive step that has prevented a stagnation in the country's growth. This management change has allowed for progress in the necessary infrastructure for grain transportation, which is vital for the Brazilian agribusiness sector, representing a fundamental part of the national economy. The pilot proposal, which was initially seen as risky by the TCU, has proven to be effective. The collaboration between the Government of Mato Grosso, various state secretariats, the TCU, and the National Land Transportation Agency (ANTT) has been key to materializing this solution. Dantas highlighted that thanks to this synergy, the federal highway has been renegotiated, allowing for state management and thus avoiding delays in the country's logistical development. The BR-163, which runs north to south through the state of Mato Grosso, has historically been considered a bottleneck for transportation. The poor conditions of this road not only slowed down agribusiness logistics but were also responsible for an alarming number of accidents. Dantas mentioned that the progress in the road duplication works aims not only to improve transportation efficiency but also to reduce the human tragedies that have marked this route. For his part, the governor of Mato Grosso, Mauro Mendes, emphasized the long and complex search for viable solutions to improve the BR-163. Over three years, his administration attempted to find investment alternatives alongside the private sector but faced multiple obstacles. With the recent concession, R$ 1.6 billion has been injected into improvements, emphasizing that every cent invested translates into more safety and economic development for the region. In the first year of the concession, the Government of Mato Grosso has completed 15 kilometers of the duplication work, specifically between Posto Gil and Nova Mutum. This progress has led to a remarkable 86% reduction in the number of deaths on the highway, a clear indication of the effectiveness of the implemented improvements. Currently, the works on the New Rota do Oeste are being carried out on four fronts, reflecting a strong effort to accelerate the modernization of the BR-163. The history of this highway is an example of how proper management of infrastructure can transform realities and contribute to the progress of an entire nation. It is worth noting that Rota do Oeste was previously owned by Odebrecht Transport, which had abandoned the works for seven years. The situation became unsustainable until, in May 2022, a Conduct Adjustment Term (TAC) was signed between the Government of Mato Grosso and ANTT, allowing MT Par to take over the majority control of the concessionaire. This agreement has been fundamental in resuming the stalled works. The TAC stipulates the duplication of 336 kilometers of the BR-163 and 34 kilometers of marginal roads, as well as the construction of seven pedestrian walkways, viaducts, bridges, interchanges, and return points. The total investment planned for these works amounts to R$ 7.8 billion, a figure that reflects the state government's commitment to improving vital transportation infrastructure in Brazil. As the works progress, the expectation is that the BR-163 will become a model to follow at the national level. This success story will not only improve logistics and safety in grain transportation but will also serve as a reference for future infrastructure initiatives in the country. Collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as attention to local needs, will be crucial for continuing to drive sustainable and safe development in Brazil.