At least four road lots located in Minas Gerais and Santa Catarina are being considered by the federal government to be included in the infrastructure concession program. Valor learned that the Ministry of Transport should order the feasibility studies in the coming months to delegate the works and administration of lots on the BR280 and BR470 (SC) and BR251 and BR365 (MG) highways to the private sector.
These stretches are part of the so-called “major road axes”, located mainly in the South and Southeast regions, where the intense movement of vehicles makes concessions viable. Also being considered is the resumption of bids for the BR116 (MG) and BR101 (BA), launched in the first stage of the Investment Program in Logistics (PIL), in 2013, without attracting interested parties.
In an interview with Valor, the Minister of Planning, Nelson Barbosa, said that new works would be included this year in the concessions program. According to him, the government is working to launch, by July, a public call for the private sector to draw up feasibility studies for the lots. The announcement of the chosen roads will be made by the Ministry of Transport.
Faced with the cash constraints imposed by the fiscal adjustment, the government decided to give a new look to infrastructure investment programs. The third version of the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC 3) will incorporate the second phase of the PIL, aimed exclusively at granting works to the private sector.
By putting concessions and projects financed with resources from the General Budget of the Union in the same basket, the government fulfills its promise to launch new works without the need to inject a lot of new money. According to a source that accompanies the PAC, since last year, a portfolio focused on concessions for 2015 was already being worked on.
Among the highways considered is the BR470, one of the main corridors for transporting production in Santa Catarina. The National Department of Transport Infrastructure is currently responsible for the duplication between the cities of Indaial and Navegantes, but there is the possibility that new sections of the road will be studied for a later concession.
A similar situation occurs with the BR280, in Santa Catarina. The duplication works of 124 km between the port of São Francisco do Sul and the city of Jaraguá do Sul have already been contracted. Important for tourism and cargo handling in the region, the highway may have new stretches granted, if the studies indicate feasibility.
Among the alternatives evaluated to increase investor interest is the combination of more than one lot in the same concession. This is what can happen, for example, with stretches of the BR116 and BR251, in Minas.
The possibility has not been ruled out that stretches that are already under construction will be redirected to concessions, says a source, who recalls that the decision on which studies will be contracted does not only consider technical aspects. Political interests can also weigh in when choosing the contemplated highways.
Before thinking about new concessions, however, the government will have to define the destination of the four lots with studies already contracted. The most advanced, delivered to the Transport Ministry two weeks ago, connects Chapecó (SC) and Lapa (PR). By May, another three studies should be delivered.
Source: Valor Econômico
By: Murillo Camarotto
