Terex Roadbuilding LA's machines are operating
on Latin America's largest job site: Rodoanel Mário
Covas (a beltway), in São Paulo. Asphalt plants,
pavers, slipform pavers and recyclers are helping to
build the road that will change the Brazilian economy
and improve the lives of millions of people from the
city of São Paulo.
The Rodoanel is a 0 class standard expressway
(a highway with totally limited access and improved
traffic conditions) that will surround the entire Greater
São Paulo, thus connecting the Bandeirantes,
Anhanguera, Castello Branco, Raposo Tavares, Régis
Bittencourt, Anchieta, Imigrantes, Ayrton Senna,
Fernão Dias and Dutra highways. The aim is to reduce
traffic by diverting trucks outside the capital city, thus
shortening the way for important production
transportation routes, such as those coming from
the Port of Santos.
Divided into four sections (West, South, East and
North - see box), the Rodoanel crosses urban areas,
environmentally protected areas and even the Billings
Dam, one of the most important water reservoirs in
São Paulo Metropolitan Region. These characteristics
change the definition of road building and represent
a challenge for authorities, contractors, engineers,
techniques and equipment.
"Brazil does not have a highway this size; This is
Latin America's largest job site. When it is finished,
the Rodoanel will eliminate 43% of the traffic from
Marginal Pinheiros and almost 30% from Av.
Bandeirantes. All of the cargo transportation from
Mercosur to the Port of Santos, for example, will
come this way," explains engineer Olímpio Eugênio
Fernandes, Production Engineer for Carioca
Engenharia, the company that is finishing Lot 5 of
the Southern Section as part of the consortium formed
by contractors OAS and Mendes Júnior.