OHLA, in consortium with Brazilian firm Construcap and Spanish company Copasa, has been awarded the concession contract to rehabilitate, expand, operate, and maintain a 218.9 km section of the BR-040 highway, which connects the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. This highway is one of Brazil’s most important logistics corridors, essential for both freight transportation and tourism between two of the country’s most dynamic regions.

The public tender was promoted by the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT), which is part of the Ministry of Transport of the Brazilian government. The 30-year concession involves an estimated investment of approximately €850 million. Operations are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025. The project will also include an electronic tolling system to enhance traffic flow and improve user experience.

The contract encompasses major infrastructure works: the duplication of 13 km of roadway, 87 km of additional lanes, 12 km of bike lanes, construction of 3 tunnels, 15 km of service roads, 13 alignment corrections, 13 viaducts, and 12 pedestrian walkways. One of the most significant components of the project is the completion of the ascent of the Serra de Petrópolis, a technically complex and long-demanded work due to its impact on traffic safety and efficiency.

In addition to improving regional mobility and connectivity, the contract is expected to generate over 130,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout the value chain.

With this award, OHLA consolidates its position in the Brazilian market, where in 2024 it announced its return through the award of Lot 3 of the Salvador de Bahia metropolitan tramway, also in consortium. This first contract, valued at approximately €140 million, includes the construction of a 10.5 km stretch of light rail transit (LRT), eight surface stations, one integration station with the existing metro network, a 620-meter viaduct, and a new intermodal terminal.

OHLA’s presence in Brazil is part of its broader strategy for expansion in Latin America, where the company currently operates in Chile, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and Panama. In all of these countries, OHLA has been involved in major infrastructure projects spanning urban transportation, civil works, hospital construction, and hydraulic engineering, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development and the modernization of Latin American cities.