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Vinci Wins Concession for the Rota dos Cristais and Promises to Transform the Highway with Investments of R$ 6.5 Billion!
On the last Thursday, September 26, the French group Vinci took a big step in the Brazilian road sector by winning the auction to operate one of the most strategic sections of BR-040, which connects Goiás and Minas Gerais. With an aggressive bid and a specific discount on toll rates, the company secured the concession for the Rota dos Cristais, which connects Cristalina (GO) to the state capital Belo Horizonte (MG), and will have a 30-year contract to carry out improvements and maintenance on this stretch. This project is not just about highways but involves a significant investment: R$ 6.5 billion. And if you think that’s incredible, keep reading, as the news is just beginning, according to the website jornalopção!
A Fierce Competition: How Vinci Won the BR-040
The Rota dos Cristais has always been seen as a “gold mine” for companies operating in the road concession sector. Not surprisingly, four major groups participated in the bidding. However, it was the French group Vinci that surprised everyone with a 14.32% discount on the basic toll rate, making headlines by winning the auction. The final price per mile came in at R$ 0.14478, below the maximum price set in the bidding notice.
The competitors were not far behind, offering good proposals, such as the consortium Nova BR 040, which offered 9.09% discount, followed by the BTG Pactual Infraestrutura III with 7.50% discount, and the giant CCR, which submitted a proposal with 1.75%. But in the end, the biggest benefit for users of the highway came from Vinci, which now takes over one of the busiest and most important sections between Minas Gerais and Goiás.
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What Does Vinci Promise for the Rota dos Cristais?
Those using the BR-040 highway can prepare for a transformation! Vinci has committed to a billion-dollar investment, amounting to R$ 6.5 billion, for infrastructure improvements. This means more safety, speed, and, of course, fewer potholes, a problem that many drivers already face.
The next 30 years of concession will include modernization of the stretch, which is a vital route for transportation between Cristalina (GO) and Belo Horizonte (MG). In addition to road surface improvements, technological advancements are planned with real-time monitoring of the highway, user support stations, and increased traffic capacity at critical points. So, who wouldn’t like to hit the road knowing that the trip will be smoother?
And More Auctions Are Coming for Upcoming Highways!
If you think the auction for the Rota dos Cristais was the last big event of the year, you would be mistaken. The Ministry of Transportation concession schedule remains busy! The next big competition will take place on October 31, with the bidding for the Rota do Zebu (BR-262), in Minas Gerais.
Furthermore, by the end of 2024, four more significant highway sections will go to auction, including the Rota Verde (BR-060 and BR-452, in Goiás) and the Rota da Celulose, which connects Mato Grosso do Sul and Minas Gerais via BR-262 and BR-267. For 2025, the relicitation of Concer, responsible for the section of BR-040 between Juiz de Fora and Rio de Janeiro, is already scheduled, along with five new contracts, such as the Rota Agro Norte (BR-364) and the Rota Agro Central, between Rondônia and Mato Grosso.
Vinci and the Road Sector: Meet the French Giant
Vinci is no newcomer to Brazil. The company began its operations in the country in 2017 when it won the concession for Salvador airport. Since then, the French company has expanded its horizons and, in 2021, won the concession for seven airports in the North region, including Manaus.
Now, with the Rota dos Cristais in its hands, Vinci is taking another step toward dominating the infrastructure sector in Brazil. The group already operates in 14 countries with road concessions, and the acquisition of Entrevias in 2022, in the state of São Paulo, was just the beginning of its journey in the road segment. With so many investments and a growing portfolio, Vinci is sure to be one of the main players in future bidding processes.
The concession for the Rota dos Cristais by Vinci promises to bring significant changes to the BR-040, which connects Goiás and Minas Gerais. The robust investment and expected modernization are indicators of a safer and more efficient future for highway users. Now we just have to wait and see how the French group will transform this vital section of Brazilian road transportation.
Tem muita gente falando que é bom, bom pra quem?
Pro governo que constrói com nossos impostos e depois entrega pro capital privado?
Vai chegar ao ponto de nossas ruas serem privatizadas e ter que pagar pedágio pra entrar e sair de casa.
Não sou contra a concessão, sou contra o preço que temos de pagar.
Sou caminhoneiro, meu caminhão tem 4 eixos, portanto pago 4 X mais que um automóvel.
Dá desânimo de trabalhar pesado e ter de pagar tanto pra exercer a profissão!
A quem recorrer?