Brazil's national ground transport agency ANTT has received three bids for the concession of federal highway BR-153 running through the states of Tocantins and Goiás.

The contract auction will be held today, May 23rd, at Sao Paulo's stock exchange.

The total project cost during the life of the concession contract is estimated at R4.31 billion (US$1.92 billion). The contract involves maintenance, operation, implementation of improvements and capacity expansion of the road segment.

Bids were received from the following consortia:

• Galvão Engenharia
• Triunfo Participações e Investimentos
• Consórcio Norte-Sul: formed by Ecorodovias, Queiroz Galvão and Coimex.

The concession contract, which will have a period of 30 years, will be awarded to the bidder who offers the lowest toll rate.

The road stretch is 624.8 km long and passes through 23 municipalities. The segment begins at the junction with the BR - 060 in Annapolis (Goiás) and ends at the junction with the TO- 070 highway in Aliança do Tocantins. The system will feature nine toll plazas.