The delay in crossing the ferry between Cássia and Delfinópolis, in the south of Minas, has generated hours-long queues and losses for drivers who depend on the route. This Wednesday (10), during the Banana Fair in Delfinópolis, the governor of Minas Gerais, Matheus Simões (PSD), signed the document that marks the beginning of the concession for the construction of a bridge on the site. 📲 Follow the g1 Sul de Minas page on Instagram From above, it is possible to measure the problem: a long line of cars and trucks forms daily waiting to cross the Rio Grande. For truck drivers, boarding takes even longer, as it depends on specific logistics, which consider the weight of each vehicle. In practice, the bill doesn't add up for those who work on the road. "It's a loss, because it's a 100-kilometer freight. Generally, anywhere I'm working on a 100-kilometer freight, I can make three or four trips in a day. Here I can make one, I spend 24 hours with the other to make a trip. If I get here at 8 in the morning, I can't cross before 2, not 3 p.m. So, normal here is 10 hours waiting to cross," said truck driver Paulo César. Governor of MG signs start of concession for construction of bridge over Rio Grande, in Delfinópolis EPTV Reproduction Delays also impact trade and professional commitments. Commercial representative Daniel Silva would need to deliver a tank of diesel to Delfinópolis at 9am, but, after 11am, he had still not managed to board the ferry. "So I needed to be there now, I already had clients booked, and I was forced to change the schedule with them, precisely because of this crossing, which harms not only us representatives, people who come here to work at the fair, but mainly the residents of Delfinópolis, rural producers, for the flow of crops, among other things", he stated. This Wednesday, only two ferries were in operation. According to the city hall, the other two vessels needed to undergo maintenance after presenting mechanical failures. Every day, around 500 vehicles use the crossing. Those heading towards Cássia do not pay, but drivers leaving Delfinópolis pay R$35 for visitor plates, with a discount for city vehicles. Governor of MG signs start of concession for construction of bridge over Rio Grande, in Delfinópolis EPTV Reproduction The situation should change with the construction of the bridge. The project progressed in April this year, when Consórcio Ponte Delfinópolis won the auction with a bid of R$851 thousand. The expected fare for users will be around R$15 for crossing in both directions, and the travel time should drop to approximately two minutes. The bridge will be built in the same place where ferries currently operate and will have a two-way lane, side channels for drainage and a pedestrian crossing. The concession contract lasts 30 years and provides for estimated investments of R$221.4 million. Cássia/Delfinópolis Bridge: governor signs contract for work The government's expectation is that the work will be completed by 2030. Meanwhile, drivers continue to face long waits. "Usually 3, 4, 6 hours. I've been in line for up to 8 hours. It's absurd here. We're waiting. I hope it comes out this time," said truck driver Claudemir Paula Nunes. See more news from the region on g1 Sul de Minas