Brazil to pave 900km Amazon highway

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro announced a plan to pave the entire BR-319 highway, stretching 900km through Amazonas state.

It is the only road link between state capital Manaus and Rondônia state capital Porto Velho, among others.

Bolsonaro did neither unveil investment details nor a timetable for the works, but during a visit to the state said “I am sure that our BR-319 will be paved. Even though we have taken on an economically destroyed Brazil, with a weak budget, we are working to serve everyone.”

According to Amazonas governor Wilson Lima, the tender process for a first phase of the works could still be launched this year.

When inaugurated, BR-319 was paved but lack of maintenance practically destroyed the highway, which hasn’t registered notable traffic since 1988. Cargo is transported via air link.

Infrastructure maintenance in the region is highly complex because of difficult access and severe climate conditions.

Heavy downpours during December and May force the stoppage of many projects during these months. 

Key works in the region, including road paving, are undertaken by the army’s engineering corps, because the private sector wouldn’t assume the costs and risks related to work in the Amazon. 

Meanwhile, environmentalist groups will likely challenge the BR-319 paving. 

Anticipating this controversy, Bolsonaro referred to the connection between the environment and economic progress. 

“Our Amazon is exuberant. We have everything here. Beneath the subsoil, as they said here, biodiversity. My message for any country that might want to be our partner in exploring our biodiversity, is that we are ready to talk,” Bolsonaro said. 

Since he took office in January, the president has received criticism for a series of controversial measures relating to the environment.