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Asphalt's days may be numbered! A new concrete technology promises double the durability and is already being considered in Joinville. Find out how this change could transform the infrastructure of Brazilian highways and the challenges that still need to be overcome for this revolution to gain momentum in the country.
A silent revolution is taking shape in the Brazilian highways, and you may not even have realized it.
For decades, asphalt dominated the country's roads, but this hegemony may be numbered.
An alternative that promises more durability and lower maintenance costs is gaining ground: concrete.
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In addition to lasting longer than traditional asphalt, concrete offers advantages that go far beyond savings. However, this transformation does not happen overnight.
There are still financial, environmental and technical challenges that need to be overcome before concrete becomes the new standard. But why is this change so important?
Joinville City Hall studies new paths
In Joinville, the largest city in Santa Catarina, an audacious proposal is being studied: the construction of a new road in the south of the city to connect the neighborhoods of Adhemar Garcia, Ulysses Guimarães and Paranaguamirim.
More than serving the region's 56 inhabitants, this new road promises to ease traffic and improve access to BR-280, one of the state's main highway corridors.
The project includes the possibility of using concrete as the main pavement, which would represent a milestone for the city's infrastructure.
The idea is to integrate sections of existing streets with new paths that, for the most part, would pass through rural areas and deactivated land, such as the lagoons of the old Jarivatuba sewage treatment plant.
But the challenges are not few. Most of the route is in areas outside the urban perimeter, which requires strict environmental licenses.
Furthermore, the financial viability of the project itself is a question mark, since works of this size require significant investments.
The Eastern Contour and its Impacts
Another ambitious project is the Contorno Leste, a route planned to divert heavy traffic away from the urban center of Joinville.
This route would connect strategic neighborhoods, such as Boa Vista, Comasa and Jardim Iririú, to Aventureiro, passing through more remote areas of the city.
The Eastern Bypass would not only reduce traffic on central roads, but would also open up space for urban and economic development in the areas served.
However, as already occurred with the extinct Beira-Mangue proposal, environmental licensing can be a significant obstacle.
Thus, both the new road in the south zone and the Contorno Leste share an uncertain destiny: they depend on technical studies, financial resources and the resolution of environmental issues to get off the ground.
Concrete vs. asphalt: why switch?
The use of concrete on highways is not exactly new in Brazil.
Roads such as the Rodovia dos Imigrantes, in São Paulo, and the Anel Rodoviário in Belo Horizonte have already adopted this material, showing impressive results.
Among the main advantages of concrete, its durability.
While traditional asphalt needs frequent repairs, especially in areas with heavy traffic, concrete can last up to 30 years without significant maintenance.
This represents considerable savings in the long term, both for public coffers and for users.
Another advantage is its resistance to heat and weather conditions. Concrete does not soften at high temperatures, an important feature in a tropical country like Brazil.
In addition, it better supports the weight of heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, reducing the formation of holes and deformations on the road.
According to studies by the Brazilian Portland Cement Association (ABCP), the initial cost of concrete is, in fact, higher than that of asphalt.
However, when analyzing the pavement life cycle, concrete can be up to 40% cheaper.
Interesting facts about concrete roads
To further enrich the debate, here are some interesting facts about concrete roads:
First concrete highway in Brazil: Avenida Paulista, in São Paulo, opened in 1891, was the first road paved with concrete in the country.
Global application: Countries such as Germany, the United States and China already use concrete extensively on their highways, due to its durability and efficiency.
Emissions reduction: Although the cement manufacturing process releases CO₂, concrete roads reflect more sunlight, reducing energy consumption for street lighting and reducing the carbon footprint in the long term.
Minimum maintenance: In the United States, concrete highways can operate for more than 40 years with minimal intervention, while asphalt needs resurfacing every 5 to 10 years.
Increasing sustainability: New technologies allow the production of concrete with recycled materials, such as construction waste, making it a more ecological option.
Joinville and the future of Brazilian highways
With the projects in Joinville, the opportunity arises to take Brazil to a new level in highway construction.
But the main question remains: will the upfront costs and technical challenges justify the long-term benefits?
While other Brazilian cities are still hesitant to adopt concrete on a large scale, Joinville could be a pioneer in this transformation.
The expectation is that, if the studies are approved, the new projects will become models for other regions of the country.
Conclusion: What does the future hold for our roads?
The adoption of concrete on Brazilian highways is more than a technical issue; it is a debate about innovation, sustainability and planning.
While the challenges are many, the potential benefits are undeniable.
Do you believe that concrete can be the definitive solution to the problems of Brazilian roads? Or is the initial cost still an insurmountable obstacle? Share your opinion in the comments!
If you have the resources to invest in concrete paving, there is nothing to discuss.
This is nothing new. Concrete highways have existed in Pernambuco for many decades.
Now NASA comes.
It has existed throughout Brazil for a long time, it just isn't publicized or interesting for one reason: It lasts much longer.