What the 134 km journey will be like for pilgrims in Aparecida

What the 134 km journey will be like for pilgrims in Aparecida


ANTT says the road for pedestrians and cyclists from Arujá is a priority project and could start in 2026

The RioSP concessionaire will create an exclusive 134 kilometer pedestrian route for pilgrims who will follow the pilgrimage on foot or by bicycle to the Sanctuary National Sanctuary of Aparecida. The new road, with a width of 3 to 7 meters, will be built parallel to the President Dutra Highwaybut without interfering with the roadway and shoulders. The goal is to reduce the risk of accidents involving believers, as pilgrims currently walk along the highway shoulder.

The technical project was sent to the National Land Transport Agency (ANT) and, according to the agency, has received priority approval and must receive authorization to begin construction of the project. Work is expected to begin in 2026, along with a project to expand Dutra’s capacity.

As October 12th approaches, the date dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecidathe pilgrimage has already begun and the Federal Traffic Police expects that 40,000 people will reach the sanctuary on foot or by bicycle. Last year, 37 thousand pilgrims made the pilgrimage.

According to Rodolfo Borrel, operations director of RioSP, with the approval of the ANTT the details of the works will be carried out. “This is a joint effort to provide greater security to pilgrims, especially during the period of celebrations of the feast of Our Lady of Aparecida. We carry out a mega security operation to protect the faithful, but there is always the risk that a runaway car could cause an accident with pilgrims,” ​​he says.

The project includes the exclusive path of Arujain the Greater San Paolo, until arriving at the sanctuary, in Aparecidapassing through the urban areas of Jacareí, São José dos Campos, Caçapava, Taubaté, Roseira and Pindamonhangaba. The study showed that there is room for a continuous road for most of the route. “In some sections, the volume of work will be greater due to the need to raise the road and bypass the motorway entrances and exits, which are numerous, but technical solutions exist,” says Borrel.

In the urban sections of the cities that the road will pass through, according to the manager, it may be possible to use local roadsides. The proposal is still in its initial stage and depends on formal authorization from the regulatory agency in order to move to more detailed technical phases, such as functional design development and economic feasibility analysis. The plan is to transfer the support points for pilgrims who settle along the Dutra road during pilgrimages to the exclusive road.

If the construction is approved, the cost of the works will be borne by the concessionaire. Since this is an investment not foreseen in the concession, an economic-financial rebalancing of the contract will be necessary.

Safe Pilgrimage Project 2025

In parallel with the technical proposal, RioSP is taking the project forward this year Safe pilgrimage 2025with various actions aimed at protecting and guiding pilgrims who travel the Via Dutra. Between 6 and 12 October, 23 support tents were installed at strategic points on the motorway, between Arujá and Aparecida (SP section) and between Resende and Aparecida (RJ section), operating 24 hours a day.

In these places, pilgrims receive information on road safety, kits with reflective jackets and tapes, water, as well as access to bathrooms and totems for charging mobile phones. The concessionaire also carries out awareness campaigns at petrol stations and toll booths, distributes information leaflets in churches and parishes and publishes warning messages on variable signs along the motorway.

The Rota da Luz, an alternative recognized by the National Sanctuary for offering less traffic and contact with nature, also has support tents and distribution of safety kits.

This year, according to a survey by the Intelligence Center for the Economy of Tourism (CIET), linked to the State Department of Tourism and Travel of São Paulo (Setur-SP), 450,000 visitors are expected during the Patron Saint’s Day, which runs until October 12 in Aparecida.

The greatest concentration of visitors occurs on weekends, when around 150,000 people arrive in the city, according to city hall data. On average, these visitors stay for three to four days.

Source: Terra

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