Brazil’s ANTT launches public consultation for NovaDutra extension

Brazil's national land transport agency ANTT has launched a public consultation concerning a proposed contract extension of 13 years for the NovaDutra highway concession held by CCR. The deal covers the Rodovia Presidente Dutra highway between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, according to a report by the Valor Economico newspaper. Consultations will run for 30 days until mid-April and include two sessions in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Finance & Funding / March 18, 2016
Brazil's national land transport agency ANTT has launched a public consultation concerning a proposed contract extension of 13 years for the NovaDutra highway concession held by CCR.

The deal covers the Rodovia Presidente Dutra highway between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, according to a report by the Valor Economico newspaper.

Consultations will run for 30 days until mid-April and include two sessions in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Discussions for the contract, which expires in 2021, will consider five investment scenarios for between US$475 million and $950 million, depending on the volume of work.

The only work confirmed up till now is for construction of an entry ramp for the Serra das Araras stretch in Pirai, Rio de Janeiro, costing around $475 million.

CCR has proposed other work to improve safety on minor roads connecting with the Dutra highway in a number of regions. However, observers believe the government is reluctant to spend much more than the $475 million, despite the claimed added safety benefits.

Meanwhile, Valor Economico newspaper also reports that some contractors for road and airport tenders have reported continuing difficulties in securing the public credit that was offered to them at the time of their tender wins.

Only three of the six projects tendered by the Rousseff government which required long-term financing by the Brazilian Development Bank BNDES have been granted monies, according to Valor Economico. These include projects operated by Triunfo Participacoes e Investimentos, CCR and MGO Rodovias.

Odebrecht and Invepar have been granted bridge-loans for their road projects.

Galvao is yet to receive any financing from BNDES for work on the BR-153 road, for which the tender was awarded in 2014. This project was, however, affected by the involvement of Galvao in the Lava-Jato corruption investigation which led to BNDES suspending all loans for the project, the newspaper reported. There is speculation that this contract could transferred to another company.

BNDES has declined to comment on the reasons behind the delayed release of financing for the projects, but notes it is continuing to work to ensure all funds are granted.
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