Government proposes works on BR highway that could generate a cost of R$ 155 BILLION for you, driver

Construction work on the famous BR promises major improvements, but also has a significant impact on drivers' pockets, costing up to R$155 billion. A study reveals the challenges and suggests alternatives such as variable tolls and free flow to minimize costs.

Get ready: the Works on BR-101 promise not only to modernize the highway, but also to have a direct impact on the pockets of those who use it.

The Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina (Fiesc) commissioned an alarming study that revealed the potential for astronomical expenses for drivers traveling along BR-101, in the north of the state.

But what is at stake? Infrastructure works that, although they promise improvements, could result in surprising costs for those who use the road until 2047.

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The impact of the works on your pocket

According to the study, in addition to the financial cost, the planned works may not be sufficient to deal with the growing flow of vehicles 2048 up.

Simulations have shown that several sections of BR-101 will reach level “F” on the HCM (Highway Capacity Manual) scale, which is the worst possible.

This means that the highway will face chronic congestion, where vehicle demand will exceed the road's capacity, making the experience of traveling along BR-101 a real ordeal for drivers.

Additionally, we bring the works will have a significant environmental impact. According to traffic engineer Lucas Trindade, the project predicts an increase of more than 40% in pollutant emissions.

This would result in an additional 8 trillion tons of CO2, NOx, PM and VOC being released into the atmosphere, significantly contributing to environmental degradation.

Measures suggested by Fiesc to alleviate the problem

Despite supporting the renewal of the BR-101 concession contract, Fiesc highlighted that the proposed works and improvements are insufficient.

Mario Cezar de Aguiar, president of the federation, highlighted the need for incorporate additional measures to increase safety and improve service levels on the highway.

Among the suggested improvements, the construction of third lanes, side roads and works at junctions stand out.

These interventions could mitigate existing bottlenecks and improve traffic fluidity., however, would also increase costs for drivers.

Tolls and new technologies: what’s next?

One of the most controversial points discussed in the study is the implementation of the toll per kilometer driven, known as “free flow”.

This type of collection aims for a fairer tariff, where the user pays according to the distance traveled.

Egídio Martorano, president of the Fiesc Transport and Logistics Chamber, defended the adoption of the model as a way to increase revenue and ensure that more works can be carried out.

Furthermore, the study proposed the implementation of intelligent traffic and connectivity technologies to increase safety on BR-101.

These innovations would enable faster communication in emergency situations and help carriers optimize their operations by monitoring fuel consumption and fleet locations in real time.

The variable toll controversy

Another highlight is the proposal of variable toll, which would adjust the fare according to the time.

During peak times, the fee would increase, encouraging drivers to travel at alternative times and helping to spread traffic throughout the day.

But would this measure really bring benefits? For drivers who do not have flexibility in their travel times, variable tolls can become an additional financial burden.

Safety and sustainability innovations

In order to improve care in the event of an accident, the study proposes the adoption of “motorcycle ambulances”, motorcycles equipped to provide rapid assistance to victims of road accidents.

These units would help reduce emergency response time and, consequently, would reduce the time of congestion caused by accidents.

Another innovative proposal is the accident vision blocker, a technology that would help prevent onlookers from slowing down to observe accidents, which worsens traffic jams.

Parallel works and new challenges

Fiesc also once again defended the construction of a parallel highway to BR-101, which would meet the growth in demand in the coming decades.

According to engineer Ricardo Saporiti, this alternative would ease traffic in several critical sections.

However, the biggest obstacle is the lack of bidding for the engineering project, especially in the section that would connect the new highway to the Greater Florianópolis bypass.

The optimistic deadline for the completion of these works, if the project is approved, it would last four years, with completion estimated for 2031.

But would this new highway really solve the problem or would it just move it to other areas?

The future of BR-101: a cost worth it?

The renewal of the BR-101 concession contract and the implementation of new technologies and works are urgent measures to prevent the highway from collapsing in the coming years.

However, these advances will come at a high cost, both for the government and for users. The question is: are you willing to pay this bill?

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Government proposes works on BR highway that could generate a cost of R$155 BILLION for you, the driver