Brazil gov. wants $1.8B Rio-Sao Paulo highway Eds: APNewsNow.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) Sao Paulo Gov. Jose Serra is proposing the construction of a new 3.1 billion real (US$1.8 billion) highway linking Brazil's two biggest cities.

The new road could be ready for bidding in two years. It would run parallel to although six miles (10 kms) away from the Via Dutra road that currently connects Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Sao Paulo state transportation secretary Mauro Arce confirmed the proposal on Tuesday. He says Serra proposed the new road to Rio de Janeiro Gov. Sergio Cabral in a phone call last week.

The Brazilian newspaper O Globo says the proposal is unlikely to please NovaDutra. The company won the concession to run Via Dutra in 1996, investing heavily in improvements and maintenance.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-02-08 1918CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list