Sao Paulo state highway department Dersa has commenced prequalification for construction of the north stretch of the Rodoanel Mario Covas ring road (SP-021), value EUR1.98 bn. The new road will connect the eastern and western sections of the Rodoanel Mario Covas beltway, passing through the cities of Aruja, Guarulhos and Sao Paulo. The project involves 44 km of road, including 111 structures and seven tunnels.The tender is split into six lots, five of which with tunnels: the 6.42 km lot 1 includes a 1,150 m tunnel; the 4.88 km lot 2 including two tunnels, length 350 m and 850 m; the 3.62 km lot 3 with two tunnels, 1,650 m and 1,070 m-long; the 9.10 km lot 4 with a 290 m-long tunnel; and the 7.88 km lot 5 with a 1,087 m-long tunnel. The 11.96 km lot 6 from Guarulhos and Aruja municipalities does not include tunnels. Construction start scheduled March, 2012 for completion November, 2014. Visit www.dersa.sp.gov.br/noticias/default.asp?cod=111. 39/11.