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After decades of promises and political neglect, the paving of one of the most important highways in Roraima is officially announced, promising to transform the future of Normandia and open a new development route on the border with Guyana.
After more than three decades of promises and frustrations, the federal government confirmed the paving of one of the most problematic sections of BR-401, in Roraima.
The paving work will cover approximately 70 kilometers of the highway which connects the municipalities of Bonfim and Normandia, in the extreme north of the country.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Transport, Renan Filho, this Thursday (10), in a video published on the social media of federal deputy Helena Lima (MDB).
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The section in question, currently made of dirt, represents a logistical bottleneck for the flow of local agricultural production, in addition to being the subject of constant complaints from residents.
BR-401 is also a strategic corridor connecting Brazil to Guyana, opening an international trade and tourism route across the northern border.
Work promises to transform the reality of Normandy
According to the minister, the basic paving project has already been completed, and the expectation is that work will begin soon.
“With this road, Normandy will become another city. As the connection with Guyana, to the north, and with the connection to Bonfim, the city will no longer be the end of the line and will become a route for the development of Roraima,” said Renan Filho.
Congresswoman Helena Lima, who attended the announcement, highlighted that parliamentary amendments have already been earmarked to guarantee the execution of the work.
The investment, although not officially detailed, should be financed by federal resources and supplemented with funds from parliamentary groups.
The section that will be paved corresponds approximately to the segment between km 107 of the highway, close to the Bonfim junction, and km 185, where the city of Normandia is located.
In other words, there are around 80 km that, for decades, remained forgotten by the public authorities.
30-year wait for paving
The paving of BR-401 is a long-standing demand and one that has caused frustration for the residents of Normandia.
Many report that the condition of the road harms the local economy, causes frequent material damage and exposes drivers to constant risks.
In 2024, a report carried out in the municipality revealed the population's discontent.
A rural producer, who preferred to remain anonymous, summarized the impact of the precarious condition of the highway:
“Normandia is the largest producer of watermelon in Roraima, in addition to planting soybeans and rice. But shipping the produce is a struggle. We have to pay extra for freight because our own vehicles break down on the road.”
Accidents are common, and losses accumulate.
According to reports sent to the local press, drivers They face deep holes, mud during the rainy season and dense dust during the dry season.
One resident even vented:
“These warriors drive on this road every day, and most of the time, what they earn is just enough to keep their cars running.”
Strategic potential of BR-401
More than just a road, BR-401 represents a vital axis for the development of Roraima.
The highway connects Boa Vista to the border with Guyana, passing through Bonfim and Normandia, and has great potential to promote cross-border trade.
Since the reopening of the bridge over the Tacutu River — which connects Brazil to the Guyanese city of Lethem — the flow of goods between the two countries has increased significantly.
However, the lack of paving in the final stretch of BR-401 has limited the full use of this integration.
With the completion of the work, experts believe that Roraima could become a new logistics corridor for Brazilian exports to the Caribbean and the United States, using the port of Georgetown, in Guyana.
This alternative route would reduce costs and distances for several sectors of the economy, especially agribusiness.
Regional development and quality of life
The arrival of asphalt should also directly improve the quality of life of the population of Normandy.
The city, with just over 10 inhabitants, faces partial isolation during the rainy season, when the road becomes practically impassable.
Transportation of patients, food, fuel and even teachers to rural schools is often affected.
With the paving, a leap in mobility, safety and access to basic services is expected.
Furthermore, Normandy is home to indigenous and quilombola communities, who have been demanding a greater presence from the State for years.
The paving of BR-401 could represent a milestone in the social integration and cultural appreciation of these populations, who are often forgotten.
Complementary projects and next steps
The federal government has not yet announced an official date for the start of works, but sources at the Ministry of Transport indicate that the bidding process should begin in the first half of 2025.
The paving must be accompanied by drainage works, signage and construction of wildlife crossings, considering the environmental impacts of the intervention.
Technicians from the department have already been sent to the region to gather additional information.
According to Congresswoman Helena Lima, the commitment to BR-401 is part of a larger package of infrastructure investments for the North of the country, which includes improvements to other federal highways such as BR-174 and BR-210.
And you, do you think that paving the BR-401 can really change the destiny of Roraima or will it be another promise forgotten in time? Comment below!
