Brazilian authorities award tollroad package

The authorities in Brazil have awarded an important tollroad package for the BR-163 Federal Highway. This route runs through Brazil's mid-western state of Mato Grosso do Sul and the 30 year concession for the 847km of highway was won by tollroad firm CCR, according to Business News Americas. The concession package is worth some US$2.78 billion and was awarded on the basis of the low toll charges CCR will introduce on the route. The project requires widening the road along a 130km stretch within 12 months of the deal being awarded. The contract also requires 806km of the route to be widened within five years of the deal being signed and the BR-163 will also have five new toll areas constructed. The widening work will involve some technical challenges as sections of the route run through areas where the ground will need extensive stabilisation to cope with the structural loads required of a major highway.