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Increase of Toll on BR-381 Should Finance Billion-Dollar Package of Works While Government Redesigns the Grant of Fernão Dias.
Drivers using the BR-381, on the stretch of the Fernão Dias Highway between Belo Horizonte and São Paulo, should expect a more expensive toll after the new concession auction scheduled for this Thursday (12/11) at B3 in São Paulo.
The Minister of Transport, Renan Filho, admitted that the fare will be adjusted to enable a broad package of works and services on the highway, considered strategic for the flow of goods and passengers between the two states.
Current Rate Is Considered Low by the Government
During his participation in the “Good Morning, Minister” program from EBC on Wednesday (12/10), Renan Filho stated that the amount currently charged at the toll plazas on the Fernão Dias is outdated given the investment needs.
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According to him, the stretch between Belo Horizonte and São Paulo has “one of the cheapest tolls” when compared to other concessional highways in Minas Gerais and São Paulo, which, in the government’s assessment, “is not in line with the importance of the 381”.
The minister recalled that the current concession was auctioned over a decade ago, which helped keep the toll at a low level.
“Since this highway was auctioned back then, the toll became too small for the investment needs.”
Currently, passenger cars pay around R$ 3.00 per plaza, an amount considered one of the lowest among the federal concessional highways in the region.
According to the ministry’s assessment, this scenario partly explains the lack of adequate access structures to bordering cities, the absence of service roads in urban stretches, and the need for interventions such as overpasses, walkways, and safety devices.
Therefore, the revision of the contract was identified as a condition to unlock a new cycle of investments in the highway.
Auction of Fernão Dias and Billion-Dollar Package of Works
The new auction for the BR-381/MG/SP – Fernão Dias Highway will be the last federal road auction of the year and is treated by the government as strategic.
The bidding will take place on the stock exchange in São Paulo, with the participation of the current concessionaire, linked to Arteris, and other groups such as EPR and Motiva, which submitted proposals in the preliminary phase of the process.
The modeling is for contract optimization, which means a comprehensive review of the current contract, with new obligations for works and performance targets.
The Ministry of Transport and ANTT estimate investments close to R$ 15 billion over the new cycle, encompassing capacity expansion interventions, alignment corrections, and operational costs.
The proposal foresees modernization of approximately 569 kilometers of BR-381 between Contagem and Guarulhos, with the implementation of additional lanes, construction of service roads in urban stretches, access works, safety devices, and new Rest Areas (PPDs).
The interventions are expected to occur progressively, with a timeline linked to toll revenue and service level targets.
According to Renan Filho, the alternative to this contractual redesign would be to keep the highway practically without significant structural interventions in the next decade.
“If we do not do this, Fernão Dias would remain for another ten years without investments in the connection between the cities of São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, and it would not hold up.”
Toll Adjustment as a Source of Financing
The federal government has emphasized that the adjustment of tolls will be the main mechanism to finance the planned works, within a model where a significant portion of costs falls on users.
In recent interviews, Renan Filho highlighted that the logic follows that of other concessions: more structural interventions in exchange for higher tolls.
So far, no information has been released regarding what the initial reference rate will be nor the percentage increase relative to the current amount, as these data depend on the auction result.
The adjustment, however, is treated as unavoidable to enable the estimated package of about R$ 15 billion.
Progress of Duplication of BR-381 in Minas Gerais
Besides Fernão Dias, the minister was asked about the duplication of BR-381 in Minas Gerais, especially on the stretch between Belo Horizonte and Governador Valadares, known for its high accident rate.
The federal strategy combines concession on part of the route with direct execution of public works in areas of greater urban complexity.
The stretch between the two cities has already been granted to Nova 381, with planned investments exceeding R$ 9 billion over 30 years.
The concessionaire has initiated emergency actions, such as pavement recovery and signal reinforcement, while preparing duplication projects.
The 31 kilometers between Belo Horizonte and Caeté, excluded from the bidding due to urban density and the need for expropriations, will be the responsibility of DNIT.
The government is working on executive projects and land agreements to resettle families, with the start of construction expected from 2026.
Parliamentary Amendments and Other Minas Gerais Highways
When asked about the use of parliamentary amendments to finance the duplication, Renan Filho reiterated that toll rates will be the main source of funding for both Fernão Dias and the granted BR-381.
He assessed that extra contributions could help reduce the toll for users, but are not essential for executing the contracts.
The minister suggested that amendments from Minas Gerais legislators be directed to other federal roads that do not yet have large construction contracts, such as BR-251 and BR-367.
He also mentioned the stretch between Belo Horizonte and Caeté, which will receive public works and could benefit from additional resources.
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