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After years of delays, the Cuiabá-Várzea Grande Beltway is moving forward with essential works and billionaire investment. Bridges, viaducts and duplicated sections should ease traffic on BR-163 and boost the local economy. Will this project meet expectations?
Behind the scenes of the national infrastructure, a monumental project is moving forward to change the face of traffic on one of the busiest highways in the country.
After more than a decade of stoppages, controversies and promises, a solution to the logistical bottlenecks of BR-163/364 is finally taking shape.
The impact promises to go beyond urban mobility: the numbers are astronomical, and expectations are even greater.
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With a billion-dollar investment and a plan to divert heavy truck traffic, the Cuiabá and Várzea Grande Ring Road stands out as one of the most strategic works of the last decade.
According to authorities, the project has already consumed more than R $ million 200 divided between the federal and state governments, ensuring the execution of a structure that promises to transform the region's logistics and security.
Progress in construction and impact on mobility
Work on the Northern Bypass of the Rodoanel is progressing at a rapid pace and, according to the responsible bodies, the two bridges over the Cuiabá River and the viaduct over the MT-010 have already surpassed 90% execution.
These essential structures will directly support traffic and should significantly alleviate the flow in the central areas of Cuiabá and Várzea Grande.
When completed, the works will include more than 20,5 km of dual carriageway, with concrete pavement designed to withstand the intense flow of heavy vehicles.
The direct connection between the BR-163/364 and MT-251 will enable a reduction in travel time and an improvement in road safety, creating new development prospects for the region.
Who pays the bill?
According to information provided by government agencies, financing for the work is being divided.
The federal government covers 60% of initial costs, while the state of Mato Grosso is responsible for 40% remaining, in addition to expenses related to expropriations and contractual adjustments.
Experts point out that, in the end, the state may end up covering up to 60% of the total value, increasing pressure on the state budget.
Despite the financial burden, this work is considered essential for regional and national development.
The financing model adopted, although challenging, seeks to balance investments and ensure completion within the stipulated deadlines.
Technical challenges and history of shutdowns
The Rodoanel project faces significant technical challenges.
Among the most important structural works still in progress, a new viaduct over the MT-251, two level crossings in busy areas and the construction of containment and access embankments.
The history of the work, which began in 2006, is marked by successive interruptions. Only 9 km of single track were completed before allegations of irregularities led to a complete shutdown in 2011.
It was only after new studies and the re-evaluation of the project by the Infrastructure and Logistics Secretariat of Mato Grosso, between 2019 and 2020, that the project gained momentum again, with the publication of a notice and the resumption of work in 2021.
Expansion and future goals
The plans for the Rodoanel don't stop there. The second stage of the project foresees the construction of another section that will connect MT-251 à BR-070/163/364.
This route will include bridges over the Coxipó and Aricá rivers and another viaduct.
When completed, the highway will total 52 km long, creating a strategic urban bypass route that should strengthen cargo transportation between the Cuiabá Industrial District and other regions of the state.
The economic and logistical impact
The importance of the Rodoanel goes beyond mobility.
According to experts, the work should boost the regional and national economy, by reducing logistics costs and improving efficiency in road transport.
With the reduction in heavy traffic in urban areas, the expectation is that accident rates will also fall, contributing to greater safety on the roads.
The project reinforces Mato Grosso's position as one of the largest logistics hubs in the country, connecting agricultural production areas to consumer markets and export ports.
According to analyses, this infrastructure could redefine the dynamics of cargo transportation in the region, increasing the state’s competitiveness on the national and international scene.
With the progress made, the question remains: will the Rodoanel bring all the promised benefits or will it face new challenges in the future?
