Works on Rodoanel Norte highway set to resume

Works on the Rodoanel Norte highway in São Paulo state finally look likely to resume in the second half of this year.

After the project began in 2013, works on the northern stretch were halted in 2018 after the construction companies originally responsible, OAS and Mendes Júnior, were deemed by state highway department Dersa as incapable of completing them. The work should have been completed in March 2016, according to the original contract. 

When finished, the Rodoanel Norte highway will have a total length of 44km and will connect the eastern and western sections of the Rodoanel Mário Covas beltway. It is expected to be concluded in late 2022, a spokesperson for the state transport secretariat told BNamericas.

This northern stretch is divided into six sections and will also include an exclusive connection with Guarulhos international airport, comprising an additional 3.7km section. 

According to Dersa, the Rodoanel Norte section is 85% complete.

The notice regarding the process to find a contractor to complete the works will be published by March 31. The state government estimates that an additional investment of 2bn reais (US$428mn) will be needed to finish the project. 

With the eastern, western and southern sections already finished and the northern section expected to be ready in 2022, in total, the Rodoanel Mario Covas beltway will be 176.5km long and will reduce traffic of light and heavy vehicles on the important Tietê and Pinheiros expressways.

Rodoanel connects the main access corridors to the city of São Paulo, which include the Bandeirantes, Anhanguera, Castello Branco, Raposo Tavares, Régis Bittencourt, Imigrantes, Anchieta, Ayrton Senna, Dutra and Fernão Dias highways.