The Government of São Paulo, through the Secretariat of Investment Partnerships, has begun mobilization work to expand and improve the Washington Luís Highway (SP-310), in the region of São José do Rio Preto. The interventions will begin in April and include the municipalities of Cedral, São José do Rio Preto and Mirassol.
With an estimated investment of R$455 million, the project will be executed by the concessionaire Ecovias Noroeste Paulista, under the supervision of the São Paulo State Transportation Agency (ARTESP). The works are expected to be completed in the second half of 2027.
“This is yet another of the large investments planned for highway concessions in the state of São Paulo. The works will improve fluidity in the region, solving an existing bottleneck, in addition to boosting regional development,” stated Rafael Benini, Secretary of Investment Partnerships for the State.
The interventions include the construction of 15.8 kilometers of marginal roads between km 436 and km 446, in São José do Rio Preto; at km 425, in Cedral; and near km 448, in Mirassol. A further 26.3 kilometers of third lane will be built between km 428 and km 436 and between km 444 and km 452. The new lane will be built, for the most part, in the central reservation.
Another highlight of the project is the complete remodeling of the junction with the Transbrasiliana Highway (BR-153), with the installation of new access ramps and return viaducts. Improvements will also be made to the access roads to São José do Rio Preto.
In total, 11 viaducts will be built along the stretch between Cedral and Mirassol, with structures designed to serve both main traffic and marginal traffic.
In addition to expanding the highway’s capacity, the works will improve traffic flow and increase road safety by separating long-distance vehicles from urban traffic. The expectation is that the project will also generate direct and indirect jobs and contribute to regional economic development.
During the project, the concessionaire will adopt signage and traffic management measures to maintain the flow in the unaffected lanes. The population will be informed in advance about possible closures through the local press, the company’s digital channels and signage on the highway itself.
The marginal roads will allow urban traffic to be removed from the main road, currently used by vehicles accessing local neighborhoods. The third lane will help reduce congestion and the risk of accidents caused by dangerous overtaking, in addition to favoring the transportation of goods.
In addition to these works, Ecovias Noroeste Paulista will also begin construction of a third lane on the SP-310 in São Carlos in 2025. The interventions will begin in March, on the stretch between km 227.8 and km 242.5, with completion scheduled for April 2027.
More investments in the regional road network
Also this week, Secretary Rafael Benini met with mayors from the Regional Development Council of the Rio Grande Valley (CODEVAR) to present new investments in road infrastructure in the region. The concessionaire Ecovias Noroeste Paulista, responsible for the works on the SP-310, also took over the management of 156 km of highways previously managed by TEBE, as provided for in the concession contract signed in 2023.
Among the stretches now under the concessionaire’s responsibility are the Brigadeiro Faria Lima Highway (SP-326), between Bebedouro and Barretos; the Comendador Pedro Monteleone Highway (SP-351), between Bebedouro and Catanduva; and the José Della Vechia and Orlando Chesini Ometto Highways (SP-323), between Pirangi and Taquaritinga.
The planned improvements include the widening of 55 km of the SP-351, construction of seven new access points on the SP-323, adjustments to the side roads on the SP-326 near Barretos, and accessibility projects with the construction and requalification of footbridges.
“The idea is to bring in investments that provide fluidity to traffic and, therefore, foster economic development. When we increase the capacity of highways, we promote growth, create jobs, and reduce accidents and fatalities,” Benini highlighted.
Another planned front is the widening of the Laurentino Mascari Highway (SP-333), between Taquaritinga and Borborema, passing through Itápolis. The first phase will take place between 2025 and 2028, with the second phase scheduled for the period 2037 to 2040.