Tarcísio de Freitas, an ex-minister of Infrastructure and now the governor of São Paulo, has been facing mounting challenges in the road construction sector, which was expected to be one of the highlights of his governance. Nicknamed 'Asphalt Tarcisio' during his 2022 campaign in an effort to present him as a proactive executor of road projects, his tenure has seen significant setbacks, particularly evident in the delays of crucial road works despite some initiatives like the North stretch of the Rodoanel getting back on track.

Despite a promising start to his governance with the resumption of the North stretch of the Rodoanel project, Tarcísio has struggled with major bids initiated by his team, which have encountered numerous blockages over the three years of his term. This has resulted in growing frustration not only among the governor's allies but also within the broader context of the state's road infrastructure needs. The suspension of tenders by the Department of Roads (DER), totaling over R$ 5 billion, is emblematic of these issues, as they were unable to meet even half of their projected budget for the past year.

As the election period approaches, Tarcísio's administration is under scrutiny for its inability to deliver on promises related to road construction and maintenance. With only R$ 1.1 billion invested, which is 30.6% of the budget, the challenges Tarcísio faces could have significant implications for his re-election campaign as dissatisfaction grows among constituents who see important infrastructure improvements stagnating.