Lula’s minister rebuts Aécio on duplication of BR-381 and announces start of works

The Minister of Transport, Renan Filho, and federal deputy Aécio Neves (PSDB-MG) led a public clash on social media this Friday, 24th. The exchange of criticism occurred after the parliamentarian questioned the viability of the BR concession contract -381, signed by the Lula government on Wednesday, 22, in Brasília. Known as the “Highway of Death”, the duplication of the road has been expected for decades.

In a post on Instagram, Aécio, who governed Minas Gerais from 2003 to 2010, maintained a skeptical tone regarding the execution of the duplication.

“After decades of promises and neglect, the Lula government signed the concession contract for the duplication of BR-381. The work never left the drawing board during the 14 years of Lula and Dilma’s government. Now the question remains: can miners finally believe that the duplication will be completed? Or are we facing another chapter of postponed promises?”, he wrote.

Renan Filho responded, stating that the launch of works for the first 100 days of the contract will be on the 6th. Furthermore, the minister criticized previous administrations for alleged errors in the administration of Minas Gerais’ federal highways.

“Did you remember that during the FHC government you state-owned the federal highways in Minas so that, supposedly, the State government could make the necessary investments and, years later, you returned them, without the ‘promised’ investments and in a worse state of conservation”, countered.

BR-381, which connects the States of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, records one of the highest accident rates in the country, being nicknamed the “Rodovia of Death”. The duplication of the road is an old demand from miners and has been the focus of political and social debates for decades.

Before the clash with Aécio, Renan Filho had already criticized the governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema (Novo), during the contract signing ceremony. He stated that the governor’s absence from the event demonstrated more political interest than concern for the work. “It seems that the charge is more political and less about the work, because the manager can do everything (…) he just cannot prioritize politics against the interests of the citizen”, said the minister.

This Wednesday, the federal government formalized the signing of the concession contract for BR-381/MG. The highway will be managed by Concessionária Nova 381, from the 4UM Investimentos group, with a forecast investment of R$ 10 billion over 30 years of concession, already considering contributions amortized in the long term (Capex) and operational expenses (Opex). Lula stated that the government’s objective is to make toll prices cheaper for the poorest people, while prioritizing the quality of the roads.