Brazil's Mato Grosso BRT project delayed, facing cost spikes and oversight scrutiny

During a public hearing on 13 July 2026 at the Mato Grosso Legislative Assembly, state Infrastructure Secretary Marcelo Oliveira (also known as Marcelo Padeiro) left the session, citing nervousness and fear of a heart attack. The hearing addressed the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line linking Avenida do CPA in Cuiabá to Marechal Rondon Airport in Várzea Grande, a 15‑km corridor with 77 redesigned stations and a planned fleet of 25 electric buses.

The original consortium was terminated in February 2025 for non‑performance; penalties were applied and a new contractor, Lotufo Engenharia, was awarded a R$128 million integrated contract. The first phase, originally slated for June, is now expected to be completed by the end of December 2026. The second corridor on Avenida Fernando Corrêa da Costa has been postponed to 2027, with its budget rising from an earlier estimate of R$68 million to R$120 million. No funds have yet been allocated for this segment, and its tender has not been launched.

The state plans to sell the former VLT assets, which could generate more than R$1 billion for public finances. Assembly President Max Russi and other legislators have repeatedly urged faster completion, citing severe traffic impacts on residents. They also highlighted labor shortages and earlier municipal obstacles as contributors to the delays.