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Eight-hour blockades on the Via Anchieta mountain range alter traffic in the Anchieta-Imigrantes System and mark the final stage of the new escape ramp at km 46, a structure created to enhance safety in emergencies with heavy vehicles.
Ecovias Imigrantes has scheduled two operational blockades on the mountain stretch of the northbound lane of Via Anchieta, towards São Paulo, to complete services of the new escape ramp installed at km 46, in São Vicente.
The interventions are scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, and Tuesday, June 2, 2026, always from 9 AM to 5 PM.
The change directly affects traffic in the Anchieta-Imigrantes System, the main road connection between the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo and Baixada Santista.
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During the works, drivers using the corridor to go up or down the mountain should observe the signage and check the official traffic channels before starting their journey.
According to the concessionaire, the blockade of the northbound lane of Anchieta is necessary for the execution of services related to the final stage of the new road safety structure.
The ramp was designed to enhance protection in emergency situations, especially involving heavy vehicles in critical mountain sections.
Operation 5×3 changes traffic in the Anchieta-Imigrantes System
On the two days of interdiction, the Anchieta-Imigrantes System will operate under the 5×3 scheme, a model in which five lanes are allocated for descending to the coast and three lanes for ascending towards the São Paulo capital.
The configuration aims to maintain flow in both directions while the northbound lane of Anchieta undergoes work.
With the change, the descent to Baixada Santista will be done via the southbound lanes of Via Anchieta and Rodovia dos Imigrantes.
Meanwhile, the movement towards São Paulo will be concentrated exclusively on the northbound lane of Imigrantes, as per the schedule released by Ecovias Imigrantes.
The concessionaire informed that the operation may be altered if there is rain, heavy fog, or other unfavorable climatic and operational conditions.
This type of adjustment is common in the mountain stretch, where visibility and vehicle volume directly influence the release of lanes.
To reduce disruptions, drivers are advised to plan their trip in advance and follow updated traffic bulletins.
The measure mainly applies to truck drivers, tourists, and workers who rely on the corridor between the São Paulo plateau, the coast, and the Port of Santos.
New escape ramp at km 46 enhances safety on Anchieta
The new escape ramp is being implemented at km 46 of the northbound lane of Via Anchieta, in São Vicente.
The construction began in October 2025 and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026, followed by operational and safety tests before becoming operational.
The equipment was designed to address situations where the northbound lane of Anchieta operates towards the coast.
This scenario may occur when the southbound lane needs to be blocked for construction, maintenance, conservation, or accidents that require a total closure in the mountain section.
Under these conditions, trucks and other heavy vehicles descending the northbound lane will have an additional containment option.
The ramp functions as an emergency resource for brake failure cases, reducing the risk of severe collisions in steep decline areas.
The structure will be 200 meters long and five meters wide, in addition to a reservoir of expanded clay 90 meters in length.
The project also includes a containment wall, drainage system, and reservoir for liquid load control, a measure aimed at preventing environmental impacts.
Expanded clay helps contain vehicles without brakes
Escape ramps function as a deceleration area for vehicles that lose braking capacity.
On Via Anchieta, the system uses expanded clay, a lightweight and porous material that increases resistance to movement and allows the vehicle to stop gradually within a few meters.
The technology is compared to a “sand box” by the concessionaire itself, as the vehicle sinks into the material upon entering the escape area.
Although the structure is mainly intended for trucks and trailers, car and motorcycle drivers can also use it in emergency situations.
The use of this type of equipment is especially relevant in mountainous sections, where prolonged descents increase the demand on the braking system.
On highways with heavy cargo traffic, a mechanical failure can cause large-scale accidents if there is no adequate containment area.
In practice, the ramp offers a controlled exit for the driver who notices brake loss or difficulty in reducing speed.
Therefore, prior signage and maintaining the correct lane are decisive factors for safe access.
Anchieta was a pioneer in the country in escape ramps
The Via Anchieta has a history of pioneering this type of solution.
The country’s first escape ramp was implemented by Ecovias Imigrantes in March 2000, at km 42.6 of the highway, towards the coast.
In 2014, a second structure began operation at km 49.
The two existing ramps have already contributed to preventing 992 potentially fatal accidents over nearly 25 years of operation, according to data released by the concessionaire in November 2025.
In July 2024, Ecovias reported that the system had already prevented more than 960 serious occurrences.
Each of the structures already in operation is about 85 meters long, five meters wide, and one meter deep.
The set includes drainage and storage for occurrences involving liquid cargo, which helps reduce environmental risks after the activation of the escape area.
In addition to the ramps, the Anchieta mountain section has specific signage, speed signs, and monitoring focused on heavy vehicle traffic.
The concessionaire also maintains monitoring and operational support actions on the managed corridor.
Highway corridor connects São Paulo to the Port of Santos
The Anchieta-Imigrantes System is the main road connection between the São Paulo capital, the ABC region, the Baixada Santista, and the Port of Santos.
The constant movement of trucks and passenger vehicles requires special operations during periods of higher traffic, such as long holidays, vacations, and the summer season.
Due to concentrating tourism trips, daily commutes, and cargo transport, the corridor receives continuous attention in maintenance and safety works.
Interventions like the ramp at km 46 aim to enhance emergency response capacity without altering the strategic function of the highway.
On blockage days, the operational recommendation remains focused on caution, respect for signage, and monitoring road conditions.
Ecovias Imigrantes advises users to check official bulletins, especially since changes may occur according to the weather and traffic in the mountain section.
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