The Government of Rio Grande do Sul has launched the ¨¨RS Parcerias¨ P3 program with the aim to stimulate concessions and PPP projects in the state. 

The first four projects presented as part of the program comprised the concession of the RSC-287 and ERS-324 highways, the Porto Alegre Bus Station and the Sapucaia do Sul Zoo, which amounts investments of BRL3.4 billion (US$857 million) in the next 30 years.

The four projects have already undergone technical feasibility studies through KPMG / Manesco / Planos as initiated by the last government and were approved by the Managing Council of the Concessions Program and public-private partnerships (PPPs) of the State.

The RSC-287 highway concession involves the duplication of a 204-km highway between Tabaí, Venâncio Aires, Santa Cruz e Santa Maria and will consist of five toll plazas installed in Tabai, Venâncio Aires, Candelária, Paraíso do Sul, and Santa Maria. The ERS-324 highway project involves the development of a 115-km highway between Passo Fundo, Marau, Casca e Nova Prata and will consist of two toll booths installed in Passo Fundo and Nova Bassano. The Porto Alegre Road Station project will modernize the road station in the Rio Grande do Sul. 

The new lot of  PPPs is not restricted to road projects. Ports, regional airports, construction and administration of schools, public buildings and prisons, equipment in the area of culture and tourism, among others, are also being considered under the RS Parcerias P3 program.

The next steps of the concession program are to hold public consultations for at least 30 days followed by te analysis to decide the best system of action. During this period, the government will receive suggestions from the population and other interested parties in the subject, after which, the government will launch the tender. A bidding announcement is planned to be made in August.