Concessionaire EcoRodovias activated ‘Operação 5×2’ at 00:03 on 13 July, shutting the northbound carriageway of the Imigrantes Highway after a multi-vehicle collision near km 45. The Planalto link road was simultaneously blocked in both directions, diverting return traffic from the coast onto the older Anchieta route. The Cônego Domênico Rangoni highway also saw a partial closure (km 250–251) toward Guarujá after a separate accident. The São Paulo–Santos axis is critical for Brazil’s export economy—moving R$130 billion in containers annually—and for corporate commuters shuttling between the city’s financial district and port logistics hubs. With peak-season cargo volumes tied to the upcoming coffee-harvest export window, freight forwarders scrambled to rebook early-morning slots at the Port of Santos, where gate queues reached 7 km before 06:00. Passenger buses reported delays of up to 90 minutes. EcoRodovias said normal flow resumed at 08:40 but warned that lane inversions will remain possible during the 12–15 July holiday return rush. Companies with time-critical crew changes for offshore energy vessels were advised by the port authority to stage drivers overnight in Cubatão rather than risk missed gangways. Business-travel coordinators should monitor the concessionaire’s X feed (@_ecovias) and set generous buffers for airport transfers to Congonhas and Guarulhos. Longer term, the incident revives debate about the stalled Imigrantes smart-toll upgrade, which would enable dynamic lane management and reduce the need for full closures during accidents or rockfall. The state government has yet to green-light the R$1.2 billion investment proposal submitted in April.
Source: EcoRodovias Traffic Bulletin
