Portuguese 
The Rota 2 de Julho, new concession for BR-116 and BR-324 in Bahia, has received unanimous approval from the Federal Court of Accounts and has advanced toward an auction expected in December, with R$ 21.5 billion earmarked for construction, operation, and maintenance.
The project covers 641.75 kilometers between Salvador, Feira de Santana, Vitória da Conquista, and the boundary with Minas Gerais. The planned contract will last for 30 years.
The modeling allocates R$ 14.8 billion for investments and R$ 6.7 billion for operating and maintaining the highways. Together, these two portions sum up to the R$ 21.5 billion highlighted by the National Agency of Land Transportation (ANTT).
Following the decision from the Federal Court of Accounts, the agency will make the necessary technical, financial, and legal adjustments to the bidding notice. The official expectation is to hold the bidding at B3 in December.
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The corridor encompasses crucial segments for travel and cargo transport in Bahia. It connects the capital to the interior, passing through Feira de Santana and reaching the axis of Vitória da Conquista.
According to information published by ANTT, the concession includes road surface recovery, capacity expansion, improvements, and maintenance throughout the entire contract period.
Electronic Tolling Replaces Physical Booths
One of the most noticeable changes will be the removal of traditional booths. Tolling will switch to electronic gantries starting in the 13th month of the new concessionaire’s operation.
Vehicles with automatic devices will have their passage identified by the system. Those without the tag will be able to pay later through defined channels, without having to stop at a gate.
The announced deadline for this payment is up to 30 days, without interest or fees. The future concessionaire will need to provide clear information to prevent ignorance from leading to defaults.
The free flow is expected to eliminate queues caused by the tolling itself. However, the success depends on the operation of the readers, the verification of license plates, and simple channels for checking debts.
Users will also need to know where the gantries are located and what the toll rate is for each passage. Transparency will be especially important for residents who frequently travel within the corridor.
The duplications and capacity expansions will have varying effects. They address physical bottlenecks but require planning, licensing, expropriation, and execution in sections that will continue to handle traffic.
During the construction, detours and narrowing will be inevitable at some locations. The quality of the temporary signage and the timing of planning can reduce risks and delays.
Those transporting cargo observe two factors: average speed and predictability. A well-maintained highway reduces breakdowns and interruptions, while the additional capacity lessens drastic variations in travel time.
For me, the challenge will be translating the total value into a comprehensible sequence of deliveries. R$ 21.5 billion is impressive, but users need to see improvements in road surface, safety, and service.
New Contract Emerges After Exit of ViaBahia
The previous contract ended on May 15, 2025. The exit of ViaBahia occurred through a consensual agreement mediated by the Federal Court of Accounts, with defined compensation for investments that had not yet been amortized.
Since then, the National Department of Transport Infrastructure has been managing the federal segments on a temporary basis. During this time, there has been no toll charge on the returned sections.
The new concession aims to prevent a repeat of the conflicts that limited the previous contract. Financial modeling, measurable obligations, and an adequate distribution of risks will be assessed by those participating in the auction.
The National Agency of Land Transportation held public hearings from April to May 2025, with sessions in Salvador, Feira de Santana, Vitória da Conquista, and Brasília, as well as collecting contributions.
The final report was approved by the agency’s board in August of that year. Subsequently, the proposal went through external control, a step concluded with unanimous approval from the Federal Court of Accounts.
There is still no winning concessionaire. The publication of the bidding notice will establish definitive rules, and the auction will reveal whether private groups accept the economic conditions prepared by the government.
The 30-year term allows for the distribution of works and revenues but also requires ongoing oversight. Initial targets typically carry special weight as they address accumulated issues and shape user perceptions.
The segment stretches 641.75 kilometers and is not uniform. Metropolitan areas, urban crossings, and long-distance segments require different interventions and operational routines.
Maintenance accounts for R$ 6.7 billion of the estimate. This includes ongoing work beyond the inauguration, such as preserving pavement, signage, and structures over three decades.
Therefore, oversight cannot focus solely on major projects. Timely repairs of potholes, care for shoulders, and response after accidents influence daily experiences as much as a duplication.
The toll will be the compensation received by drivers. Once the bidding notice is released, it will be possible to compare values, discounts, adjustments, and the location of the toll plazas with the required set of services.
The investment of R$ 14.8 billion is expected to lead to a physical transformation of the corridor. The order of the works will indicate which bottlenecks will be addressed first.
As the project progresses, nearby communities will need to be informed about changes in access and crossings. An expanded highway may improve traffic flow but must also ensure safe pathways for residents and workers along the margins.
An operational transition is still ahead. Systems, teams, and bases temporarily maintained by the National Department of Transport Infrastructure will need to give way to the structure of the winning bidder without creating a service gap.
By December, the main focus will be to track the final version of the bidding notice. Rates, timelines, and performance criteria will indicate how the announced value will be realized on the road.
The 2 de Julho Route is tasked with a dual mission: to restore confidence after a terminated contract and to modernize a crucial link for the economy of Bahia.
Does the electronic toll and the planned works justify a new concession on this corridor? Share your thoughts in the comments.
