Consorcio do Planalto has won today the right to operate 436 kilometers of the BR-050 highway concession linking Goias to Minas Gerais, pledging to invest 3 billion reais ($1.33 billion).

Consorcio do Planalto is composed of Brazilian construction companies Senpar SA, Construtora Estrutural SA; Construtora Kamilos SA, Ellenco Construções SA; Engenharia e Comercio Bandeirantes and Greca Distribuidora de Asfaltos. The group presented the winning bid, with a discount of 42.38 % over the government's proposed toll for the road.

Consorcio do Planalto beat competition from big players such as EcoRodovias, Invepar and Odebrecht, Triunfo Participacoes e Investimentos, Arteris, CCR and Queiroz Galvão.

The auction took place at BOVESPA, Brazil's main stock exchange market.

Brazil's national ground transport agency ANTT said yesterday that the eight proposals for the R$3.03 billion (US$1.34 billion) BR-050 highway concession are eligible for award today, Wednesday, when the auction will take place.

The 30-year concession involves the maintenance, operation and expansion of the highway BR-050 from Goias to São Paulo - Minas Gerais border. The road has a length of 436.6 km.Government-owned BNDES development had agreed last week to finance up to 70% of investment.