New Serra das Araras highway segment opens, cutting travel time up to 25%

A 3.6‑km section of the new four‑lane ascent of the Serra das Araras on Brazil's BR‑116 (Via Dutra) was opened to traffic on Thursday. The stretch includes eight LED‑lit viaducts, continuous shoulders, safety barriers and modern monitoring equipment. The concessionaire CCR RioSP/Motiva expects about 13,000 vehicles per day to use the new lanes, part of a corridor that carries roughly 390,000 vehicles monthly, including 36% heavy trucks.

The upgraded alignment is projected to reduce travel time between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo by up to 25% in the São Paulo‑bound direction, with a potential 50% reduction when the entire project is finished. Operational speeds could rise from the current 40 km/h to about 80 km/h on the new sections, improving traffic flow and safety, especially for cargo trucks on the steep descent. The overall investment is estimated at R$1.5 billion, with full completion targeted for 2027.