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The expansion of the highway with an investment of R$300 million promises to solve traffic problems by improving fluidity and road safety, in addition to generating jobs and bringing economic benefits to the region.
A billion-dollar project will transform traffic on one of São Paulo's busiest highways – but the impact goes far beyond improving the lanes
A new intervention promises change the dynamics of traffic on the Highway Washington Luís (SP-310), one of the main roads in São Paulo.
EcoNoroeste, the concessionaire responsible for managing the stretch, announced an ambitious project that goes beyond simply expanding lanes.
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What is behind this million-dollar investment that already has a start date and promises to generate countless jobs? The city of São Carlos is at the center of these changes.
Investment of R$ 300 million and job creation
According to EcoNoroeste, the project will receive a total investment of R$300 million, with construction scheduled to begin in the first half of 2025.
The construction will expand the highway by approximately 26 km of additional lanes, divided equally between both directions of Rodovia Washington Luís, between kilometers 227 and 240.
In addition, roadside roads will be created and improvements will be made to the highway access devices. The project is expected to be completed in 2027, benefiting the city of São Carlos and the region with the creation of hundreds of direct and indirect jobs.
The impact on traffic and road safety
The deputy secretary of Transport and Traffic of São Carlos, Sebastião Batista, commented on the importance of the expansion.
According to him, the stretch between Km 227 and Km 240 suffers from congestion, especially during peak hours, when the flow of vehicles, mainly trucks, reduces speed and increases the risk of accidents.
“With the construction of the third lane and the marginal roads, it will be possible to improve the fluidity of urban and road traffic, reducing the risk of accidents,” he explained.
Additional and marginal lanes: more safety and fluidity
The concessionaire's proposal calls for the construction of 13 km of additional lanes in each direction of the highway, totaling 26 km of new lanes.
Approximately 3,5 km of marginal roads will also be created to allow local traffic to flow, removing smaller vehicles from the main highway.
According to Batista, this should significantly alleviate traffic, especially at the exits of Avenida Getúlio Vargas, which currently face daily traffic jams.
In addition, a series of improvements will be implemented, such as remodeled roundabouts and new devices to optimize traffic.
Benefits for the city and local economy
The project will also bring benefits to the flow of products and road safety in the region. In addition to improving vehicle flow, the studies include bike paths on the roadsides, drainage, lighting, signage and even walkways to ensure greater safety for pedestrians.
The project was developed with a 10-year horizon, aiming to meet the growth of traffic in the region. According to Batista, “the municipality actively participated in the creation of this project, contributing its vision of urban traffic so that the project meets local needs.”
Challenges and necessary adjustments on the highway
For the project to move forward, the City of São Carlos still needs to make adjustments to the project, such as donating land and de-allocating some areas for the construction of the highways and roundabouts. Despite these challenges, expectations are positive.
The expansion of the highway is expected to improve not only traffic in the region, but also the quality of life of residents and workers who depend on the highway for their daily commute.
The work will not cost the municipality
It is important to highlight that the entire investment of R$300 million will be carried out by the concessionaire EcoNoroeste, at no cost to the municipality.
According to the concessionaire, all infrastructure items, such as lighting, drainage, signage and paving, are included in the budget, in addition to environmental and fauna studies and the construction of walkways.
What will be the future of the Washington Luís highway?
With such a significant investment and a long-term project, it remains to be seen how traffic in the São Carlos region will transform after the work is completed.
Will this intervention be sufficient to meet population growth and the increase in vehicle flow in the region? Will the work really bring the promised benefits?
