Trans-Amazonian highway

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The Trans-Amazonian Highway (BR-230) was inaugurated on August 30, 1972. It is 4,800 km long, making it the third longest highway in Brazil. It runs through the Brazilian states of Pará and Amazonas.

The highway was intended to integrate these regions with the rest of the country, and with Peru and Equador. It was originally planned to be a fully paved highway 8,000 kilometers long. However, these plans were modified following its inauguration.

In particular, because of high construction costs, only a small part of the highway is actually paved. The lack of a fully sealed road causes many problems. Travel on the highway is impractical during the region's rainy season between October and March.

Construction of the highway was very challenging because of the remoteness of the site. Workers building the road were frequently isolated and without communication, occasional visits to nearby cities providing the only contact.

Access to the construction sites was mostly accomplished by small airplanes using temporary airstrips.