Crater Shuts Marginal Tietê Central Lane, Triggers 50-Kilometer Traffic Jam in São Paulo

Overview

• The collapse opened Friday on the central carriageway toward Ayrton Senna about 500 meters after the Ponte da Vila Maria, forcing a total closure at the site.
• By around 5 p.m., CET reported queues exceeding 50 kilometers, and citywide congestion later reached 254 kilometers shortly after 8:25 p.m.
• Drivers faced delays of up to 90 minutes in the affected stretch, while motorcyclists were able to move through more quickly.
• City crews performed an initial fix early in the afternoon, but new rainfall caused the asphalt to give way again; authorities say final pavement recomposition is pending.
• Sabesp said its water and sewer networks were not impacted, and the incident echoes a similar cratering on the Marginal Tietê in May 2025, with related works projected to finish by March 2026.