Regular Maintenance Of Highways Is Important For The Country’s Infrastructure And Economy
Negotiations were initiated between the federal government and the World Bank for a program that foresees the increase of resources for maintenance and improvements in 4,550 km of highways in 11 states. The funding provided for the package is R$ 4.5 billion. According to Professor Claudio Barbieri, from the Transport Engineering Department of the USP Polytechnic School, infrastructure maintenance is essential and directly affects the country’s economy.
Firstly, it is possible to note that, in recent years, due to lack of investment, the quality of Brazilian highways has deteriorated. Despite some exceptions, most of them need to improve the quality provided to the population and their ability to receive vehicles. “The infrastructure in general, including the highways, needs recurring maintenance. If this is not done, they end up deteriorating and there is a risk that, in the long term, they will need to be rebuilt”, explains Barbieri.
The review and monitoring of this service must be carried out together with the monitoring of the operation of the pavement, signaling, drainage, among others. According to the professor, often these expenses end up being left in the background, since they are not as visible as the investments that are made in new roads. “This lack of maintenance turns into a very high cost, which is transferred to the user, a fact that ends up negatively affecting the country’s economy and the competitiveness of its products.”
Claudio Barbieri
The professor also explains that a road in poor condition ends up generating a cycle of negative events for the road infrastructure. Vehicles end up moving at an irregular speed, a factor that increases fuel costs, which proves to be harmful to the environment. In addition, when the quality of the highways is not ideal, it is common to have a higher frequency of vehicle maintenance, a condition that is economically harmful to the population.
privatization and maintenance
Today, Brazil has about 1 million kilometers of roads. Barbieri explains that, despite the high number, only part of them, between 100 and 120 thousand, are paved. “Of these, those that are most important have already been granted to private operators. For this reason, they have a slightly more guaranteed maintenance. This happens because, with toll collection, these companies are obliged to carry out maintenance”, explains the specialist.
The expansion of these services in the private sector should continue to happen, since, in addition to a limited investment capacity, the public government also has hiring problems. The professor reiterates that “private companies have greater flexibility and, therefore, end up being more agile, resulting in more frequent maintenance”. It is also important to highlight that the company that is offering the activity wins for the quality of the pavement, and not for the simple rendering of service, that is, the private initiative presents a commitment with the quality.
The professor also recalls that, in addition to the economic problems associated with the issue, a road in poor condition has a greater risk of accidents. “Ensuring that these highways continue to function in adequate conditions after their construction is the great challenge of this sector”, comments Barbieri. Also noteworthy is the fact that, despite the high amount destined for the maintenance and regulation of the highways, this loan will not be enough to meet the necessary demand, requiring constant monitoring of the sector.