The 176-kilometer ring road is the subject of discussion this Wednesday (12), after a driver completely blocked it in Itapecerica da Serra, causing a traffic jam of more than 16km
The Rodoanel Mário Covas (SP-021) is a ring road with a projected length of 177 kilometers that surrounds the central region of Grande. Considered one of the largest road engineering works in Brazil, its main objective is to connect the ten main state and federal highways that reach the capital of São Paulo, serving as a strategic diversion for traffic, especially trucks.
The main function of the Rodoanel is to create alternative routes that prevent passing vehicles, especially cargo vehicles coming from the interior of the state and other regions of the country bound for the Port of Santos, for example, from having to travel along the already congested urban roads of the metropolis, such as the Tietê and Pinheiros Marginals. This seeks to alleviate the intense flow of heavy vehicles, making traffic more agile for both public and individual transport within the city.
Structure and excerpts
Designed to be a high-standard highway with restricted access, the Rodoanel is made up of two lanes with three lanes each. The road is located in a range that varies from 20 to 40 kilometers from the center of the capital.
The construction of the Rodoanel was divided into four sections:
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West Section: With 32 km long, it was the first to be delivered, in 2002. It connects the Anchieta, Imigrantes, Régis Bittencourt, Raposo Tavares, Castello Branco, Anhanguera and Bandeirantes highways.
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Southern Section: Opened in 2010, it is 57 km long and connects the end of the West section and the Jacu Pêssego Road Complex.
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East Section: With 43.5 km, it was opened to traffic in 2014, connecting the Ayrton Senna Highway to the Presidente Dutra Highway.
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North Section: It is the last section, 44 km long, and is expected to be completed in 2026. It will connect the Presidente Dutra Highway to the West Section, closing the ring road.
History and impact
The idea of building a perimeter road in São Paulo emerged in the 1950s, but the project only gained momentum in the 1990s. Work on the first section began in 1998, during the government of Mário Covas, after whom the highway is named.
Since its partial implementation, the Rodoanel has already had significant impacts on urban mobility. Studies point to a considerable reduction in truck traffic on the roadsides, which contributes to improving fluidity and reducing the wear of asphalt on internal roads. In addition to being a crucial logistics corridor for the flow of national production, connecting important highways to the Port of Santos and Guarulhos International Airport.
