Brazil’s transport ministry has authorized the advance of a tender process for the BRL9 billion (US$1.8 billion) concession of the 232km Belo Horizonte-Juiz de Fora stretch of the BR-040 highway in Minas Gerais state.

The federal government plans to announce the concession notice and conduct an auction later in 2023. This new concession is anticipated to generate US$1.8 billion in funding for federal roads, encompassing both fresh investments and operational expenses. The BR-040 highway traverses multiple states, including Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Goiás, and the capital city, Brasília. The existing concession is currently in the process of being returned to the government. In 2019, the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) approved Invepar's request to terminate the concession, citing unmet traffic projections from 2013 when the contract was awarded. While companies have the option to return concessions, this process can be protracted and may involve compensation payments.

In an effort to attract investor interest, ANTT has introduced a novel format for offering the BR-040 concession, dividing the original package into three segments, including the Belo Horizonte-Juiz de Fora stretch.