Valec announces notice to bid for Ferrovia Centro-Oeste railroad

José Francisco das Neves, CEO at the state-owned company Valec Engenharia, Construções e Ferrovias S/A, announced this Saturday (28) the launch of the notice to bid for the construction of Ferrovia Centro-Oeste railroad, in the section that connects the cities of Campinorte, in the state of Goiás, to Água Boa, at 730 km eastbound from Cuiabá.

The announcement was made during the National Conference for Technology of Crops (Entec$), conducted in the city of Lucas do Rio Verde, at 354 km northbound from the capital. The event brings together producers, entrepreneurs, authorities and researchers to discuss the technological breakthroughs in agribusiness.

According to Valec CEO, the notice to bid publication for the railroad construction, which has provisions for completing the 430-km long section, is expected by the end of June. The construction must start early in 2012, with forecast for completing the section until Lucas do Rio Verde, totaling 1,040 km, in 2014.

Once finished the first phase, the railroad will cross the cities of Cocalinho, Nova Nazaré, Água Boa, Canarana, Gaúcha do Norte, Paranatinga, Nova Ubiratã and Sorriso to reach Lucas. The second phase of the Ferrovia Centro-Oeste railroad runs to the city of Vilhena (RO). Total funding of the Federal Government amounts to US$ 2.6 billion for the first phase, and US$ 1.45 billion for the Lucas-Vilhena section.

The Federal Government has been working for the construction of this work, which is of paramount importance for the whole country. “The railroad in Mato Grosso will reduce transportation costs and bring improvements and progress for the State,” highlighted José Francisco das Neves, CEO at Valec.

Francisco Vuolo, interim Secretary for Transport Intermodal Logistics Follow-up, emphasized that the political negotiations conducted by the State Government was crucial for the deployment of the railroad in Mato Grosso.

“The Management staff is taking actions for providing more and more opportunities that contribute for development in the State. Both Ferronorte and Ferrovia Centro-Oeste railroads are of extreme importance for Mato Grosso,” he highlighted.

The Mayor of Lucas do Rio Verde stated that the installation of the railroad branch in the city is a reason for joy.”We are aware on the benefits the railroad will provide to the municipalities and appreciate the initiatives of the Federal and State governments,” he said.

Vuolo also highlighted that, on June 20th, the CEO at Valec will return to Cuiabá to talk with the State Governor, Silval Barbosa, aiming at specifically discussing the railroad issues.

The meeting agenda will also include conversations about the construction of the section between Rondonópolis and Cuiabá. On May 18th, the State Government and Valec signed a cooperation term with the National Department for Land Infrastructure for the section construction completion.