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Known For Abandonment And Dangers, The AM-010 Highway, Connecting Manaus To Itacoatiara, The Worst Road In Brazil Is 69% Completed In Modernization Works, Already Reducing Travel Time And The Number Of Accidents.
For decades, the AM-010 Highway (Torquato Tapajós) has been synonymous with danger and neglect. Essential for the economy of Amazonas, connecting the capital Manaus to Itacoatiara and six other municipalities, the road gained the unfortunate reputation of being the worst road in Brazil. Numerous potholes, lack of signage, and an alarming rate of accidents were part of the everyday life of those needing to travel its 250 kilometers.
After 40 years of existence without a complete intervention, an ambitious modernization project by the state government is changing this reality. With advanced works as of May 2025, the positive impacts are already being felt by the population, which sees the promise of a safe and efficient logistics corridor becoming a reality.
Why Did The AM-010 Gain The Reputation Of Being The Worst Road In Brazil?
The reputation of the AM-010 was built on a foundation of chronic infrastructure problems. The main one was the poor state of maintenance, with numerous potholes damaging vehicles and forcing drivers to perform dangerous maneuvers. The situation was exacerbated by the lack of signage, both horizontal (stripes) and vertical (signs), making travel a high-risk challenge, especially at night.
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This combination of factors turned the highway into one of the sections with the highest number of accidents in the state. The situation was so severe that a legislator claimed the road “records serious accidents daily”. In the municipality of Rio Preto da Eva alone, there were over 700 accidents recorded in 2024. A fatal incident in December 2023, which resulted in the deaths of four people, prompted the Public Prosecutor’s Office to initiate a procedure to monitor regulation on the road.
What The CNT Research Reveals About The Highways In Amazonas
The perception that the AM-010 was the worst road in Brazil is reinforced by the overall data of the state. The 2024 Highway Survey by the National Confederation of Transport (CNT) points to a bleak scenario for Amazonas. The state leads the national ranking with 38.6% of its road network rated in “poor” condition, the largest proportion among all the federative units.
Although the survey does not specifically name the AM-010, it contextualizes the severity of the infrastructure problem in the region. The CNT study identifies that the lack of continuous investment is one of the main obstacles to improving Brazilian roads, and the 40-year history without a major renovation on the AM-010 is a clear example of this reality.
An Unprecedented Renovation In 40 Years To Change The Reality
Faced with the collapse of the highway, the Government of Amazonas initiated an intervention described as “unprecedented” and “significant”. The modernization project includes complete earthworks services, implementation of drainage systems, complete paving, and installation of new horizontal and vertical signage.
To expedite completion, the works were divided into multiple simultaneous work fronts. By May 2025, 69% of the total project had already been completed. Two hundred and five kilometers had received the first layer of asphalt, and 79 kilometers, the second. The resumption of work after the rainy season in May marked the beginning of an intensive phase to meet the ambitious goals for the year.
How The Works Are Already Transforming Life In The Region
The benefits of modernization are already being felt by those living and working along the AM-010. The most celebrated impact is the drastic reduction in travel time. Local merchants report that the journey to Manaus, which used to take four to five hours, has now “been cut in half”.
The sense of safety has also increased considerably. “Besides reducing the travel time, we also feel safer traveling on the highway,” stated a resident. A businesswoman confirmed that the number of accidents “has decreased significantly because this new asphalt has prevented many accidents.” For taxi drivers and other transportation professionals, the works represent more safety and comfort.
A New Development Corridor For Amazonas
The modernization of the AM-010 goes beyond road safety; it is seen as “the most important project for Amazonas” due to its potential to boost the economy. The restored road will facilitate the flow of production and the development of key sectors in eight municipalities.
Among the activities that will be directly benefited are the exploration of natural gas in Silves, fruit farming in Rio Preto da Eva, pineapple production in Novo Remanso, and the port sector in Itacoatiara. The road, once a barrier, is becoming the main development corridor for tourism, the primary sector, and commerce in a vast and important area of the state.
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