The Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries (ABIOVE) recently promoted a technical visit to BR-163, the so-called soybean highway. The economy manager, Daniel Furlan Amaral, traveled the route between Santarém (PA) and Sinop (MT). In his assessment, there was progress in the works, but it can be improved, especially with regard to truckers’ safety. The beginning of the rains of November brings great concern.
On the stretch under construction between Miritituba and the Morais de Almeida district in Itaituba, Amaral said that the Army intends to remove the slope, cut the hills of Soto and Anita with the objective of facilitating the opening of roads, which is a good measure. The pavement between Bela Vista do Caracol in Trairão and Morais de Almeida was another favorable point.
Between Morais de Almeida and Novo Progresso, conditions are still bad. Part of the way presents holes and serious risks to drivers because of limited visibility. “As we drove along, we were faced with a serious accident, a truck overturned and a driver injured. A sad and common consequence of the conditions of the place, “explains Amaral, who traveled with Fábio Gonçalves, transportation coordinator of ADM.
At the end of the route, between Novo Progresso and Sinop (MT), bumpy roads and lots of mud made traffic difficult. Works to improve the stretch are being carried out, but at a slow pace, which undermines local development and is reflected in the low HDI (Human Development Indexes) of the municipalities in the region.
The entity states that it is engaged in order for the government to direct resources for the maintenance and completion of the highway. While the sections did not finish, the association proposed measures necessary for on-site traffic safety, such as “Stop and Follow”, DNIT mobilization, and Army Engineering support for construction works. The works are expected to be closed by the end of 2019.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.