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State Abandons the “First Concrete Highway” and Radically Changes Its Plans! The New Restoration and Maintenance Model Brings Promises of Safer, More Durable Highways at Lower Costs.
The much-anticipated “first concrete highway” in Mato Grosso do Sul, announced with high expectations, is no longer a reality after changes to the original project.
The MS-377 highway, which was designed to be a pioneer in the state using rigid pavement known as “whitetopping”, will no longer follow that path.
Instead, the road will be restored under the traditional road recovery model, the Restoration and Maintenance Contract Program (Crema), which offers advantages such as lower costs and greater long-term efficiency.
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Change of Plans and the Use of “Whitetopping”
The initial project for the MS-377, which extends for 48 km between the MS-320 junction and the municipality of Inocência, aimed to apply the “whitetopping”, a type of concrete pavement that promises durability of up to 20 years, resistance to heavy traffic, and low maintenance costs.
This technology has already been used in other states, such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, and Paraná, with good results.
In addition to increasing the durability of the highway, “whitetopping” provides a superior riding comfort, attracting more investments to the region and benefiting the transportation of local agricultural production, such as crops from Água Clara to the factory in Inocência.
However, the government of Mato Grosso do Sul, through the State Secretariat of Infrastructure and Logistics (Seilog) and the State Agency for Enterprise Management of Mato Grosso do Sul (Agesul), announced that the MS-377 highway will be restored using the Crema model, which includes asphalt resurfacing and the application of polymer microcoatings.
The Crema model, initially adopted in Brazil in the 1990s with support from the World Bank, will be used again, as it ensures lower costs, greater safety, and better control over long-term maintenance.
What Is the Crema Model and How Does It Work?
The Restoration and Maintenance Contract Program (Crema) aims to restore and maintain highways in a more efficient and sustainable manner.
The model has already been adopted in various parts of the world, including Brazil, and stands out for allowing the companies responsible for the restoration to also carry out the maintenance of the highway for a period of 10 years.
This creates a sort of “micro-PPP” (public-private partnership), where the company performs the service and is responsible for maintaining the road.
The promise is that by ensuring this long-term commitment, the Crema model will be more efficient and bring economic benefits for both the state and the users of the highway.
The proposal from Governor Eduardo Riedel (PSDB) is to gradually replace traditional highway maintenance contracts with this more economical and efficient model.
During a trip to the United States in the second half of 2023, the governor studied this model and indicated his intention to implement it in the state, particularly through the Subsecretariat of Infrastructure and Logistics and Agesul.
“With the Crema model, the company that restores the highway commits to its maintenance.
This reduces the need for constant interventions and ensures more durable and safer roads for the population,” Riedel explained.
Benefits and Challenges of the Crema Model
The Crema model has proven advantageous for various reasons.
In addition to providing lower maintenance costs, it also facilitates the execution of large-scale works, allowing for a more organized and effective road recovery.
For important highways like the MS-377, which connects Três Lagoas to Inocência, Crema becomes an alternative that, according to the government, will ensure greater durability and safety.
The MS-377 highway, which is highly relevant for agricultural transportation in the region, will also benefit from continuous maintenance over the years, which is crucial, as shown by the case of MS-436, a highway that connects Camapuã to Figueirão, where improper maintenance models led to structural problems in less than a decade.
The MS-436, for instance, required urgent rehabilitation, with an investment of R$ 136 million, after less than 10 years of use.
According to Agesul and Seilog, the choice of the Crema model was driven by the need to meet the growing traffic demand in the region, which is expected to see a significant increase in the coming years, with about 15,000 vehicles per day by 2027.
This traffic growth forecast, primarily driven by agribusiness, makes the choice of a more efficient maintenance model even more relevant.
Why Was the “First Concrete Highway” Left Aside?
The government of Mato Grosso do Sul had promised in May 2023 that the MS-377 would be the first concrete highway in the state, but after adjustments to the project, that idea was abandoned.
The choice of the Crema model, using asphalt and microcoating technology, was the alternative adopted due to the implementation costs of “whitetopping” and the need for a quicker and more effective solution for restoring the road.
Although “whitetopping” offers several advantages, such as greater resistance and lower maintenance needs, it proved to be unfeasible due to budget constraints and timelines.
Nonetheless, the use of asphalt with polymer coating remains an effective alternative to improve traffic quality and driver safety.
The Crema model, with its long-term maintenance proposal, could also be an interesting solution for other critical sections of the state, ensuring safer and more efficient highways.
The Future of Highways in Mato Grosso do Sul
Mato Grosso do Sul continues to invest in modern alternatives for the development of its road infrastructure, with the implementation of the Crema model, which can generate positive impacts in the transport and logistics sector of the region.
By adopting this model, the state seeks better management of its resources, in addition to offering more safety and quality for drivers who use these roads daily.
The next step is to formalize the restoration and maintenance program for the MS-377 and MS-240 highways, with defined investments and timelines.
The State Government believes that this change will not only improve road conditions but also boost the regional economy, with a significant increase in vehicle movement and greater commercial flow.
Do you believe that the choice of the Crema model will actually improve the road infrastructure of Mato Grosso do Sul? What are the positive and negative aspects of this model compared to the use of concrete on highways?
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