The closure of João Paulo II Avenue in Belém started on Monday, April 9, and is causing considerable disruptions for those trying to leave the city through the Marco neighborhood. This blockage, announced by the state government on April 6, affects traffic heading out of Belém at the intersection with Dr. Freitas Avenue, and the closure is expected to last until April 29 due to construction of a new viaduct.

Since early morning, concrete blocks have been placed to close access, leading to increased congestion in the surrounding areas, especially during morning rush hour. The state’s Metropolitan Transport Management Agency (NGTM) has stepped in to guide motorists to alternative routes, such as taking Angustura Street and Dr. Freitas Avenue, which allows access back onto Almirante Barroso leading toward Entroncamento.

Infrastructure and Logistics Secretary Adler Silveira is overseeing the situation, ensuring that alternative paths and solutions are communicated to mitigate the impact on commuters. The ongoing construction is part of broader efforts to improve urban transit infrastructure, albeit with immediate challenges for local traffic flow and commuter patterns.