Concession tender for Brazilian bridge

Brazil’s Transport Ministry is putting the concession contract to maintain the Rio-Niterói bridge in Rio de Janeiro out to tender. The present 20-year maintenance contract for the bridge held by Ponte will run out in May 31st 2015, reports Business News Americas. The new concession deal will involve maintaining the structure as well as building an underpass underneath Renascença square in Niterói. Construction of the 13.3km pre-stressed concrete structure commenced in 1968 and was completed in 1974, at which time it was the world’s second longest bridge (after the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in the US). Because of the type of construction used, the bridge’s length and its age, the concession package is substantial and some US$535 million in investment will be required. The bridge is of note from a design perspective due to the 72m high central span, which allows for the passage of shipping. Providing a key link for the BR-101 highway across Guanabara Bay and carrying an estimated 140,000 vehicles/day, the tolled bridge and features eight lanes in all, with four in either direction.