Brazil's south launches major road stabilization works to curb landslides after 2024 floods

In Rio Grande do Sul, eleven containment projects are under construction along the Rota do Sol corridor between RSC‑453 and ERS‑486. Funded by the state’s Fundo do Plano Rio Grande (FUNRIGS) as part of a R$1 billion regional investment—bringing total road and bridge spending to R$3.1 billion—the works aim to stabilise slopes, improve drainage and prevent further landslides that disrupted traffic and isolated communities during the extreme rains of 2024.

In Santa Catarina, new fissures appeared on the SC‑114 stretch known as Serrinha near São Joaquim after three consecutive days of heavy rain (about 122 mm). The state infrastructure agency (SIE) has called the contractor responsible for the earlier stabilization works to assess the damage, seal the cracks and check for any active ground movement. The area had previously received gabion walls, deep drainage, rock anchoring and other measures to mitigate water‑induced instability.

Both projects reflect a coordinated response by southern Brazilian states to protect critical transport routes, support tourism and cargo movement, and reduce the risk of future road closures caused by extreme weather events.