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The Santos-Guarujá immersed tunnel, valued at almost R$6 billion, will undergo a change in its route to avoid impacts on residents. The project is expected to create 9 jobs and improve mobility between the cities.
One of the billion-dollar project that promises to revolutionize mobility between Santos and Guarujá is about to undergo significant changes.
The construction of an immersed tunnel, which would initially have a major impact on the local population, had its route changed following pressure from the community.
But what motivated this change and what will be the next steps for one of the largest infrastructure works in Brazil? Find out all this now and see how this decision can transform the region!
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According to the director of the Paulista Partnerships Company, Raquel França Carneiro, the almost 6 billion reais tunnel, which will connect Santos to Guarujá under the sea, has undergone a change in its route to avoid inconvenience to local residents.
Initially, the construction would include a binary branch that would pass between Avenida Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves and Rua José do Patrocínio, in the Macuco neighborhood, in Santos.
However, after suggestions from the community, a solution was chosen that minimizes the urban impact.
The decision to abandon the binary route
According to an article published this Monday (21) by the newspaper The Court, the original project faced resistance from the Macuco neighborhood community, who expressed concerns about the impacts of heavy truck traffic during construction.
According to Raquel, after the delivery of the Environmental Impact Study and Report (EIA-Rima) in May of this year, contributions from residents led to the review of the route..
The new layout, proposed by the residents themselves, includes the creation of a superblock, which ensures that the area is isolated and used as a construction site, moving the flow of heavy vehicles away from homes.
The idea of the superblock, known as the “glass bell jar”, aims to segregate an area delimited between Rua José do Patrocínio and Avenues Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves and Senador Dantas.
This would protect homes that will not be expropriated from impacts such as cracks and other disruptions caused by the heavy movement of trucks.
Many properties in the region are old, and residents fear that the construction work will cause irreversible structural damage..
Next steps in the process
With the approval of the new route, the project moves forward to discussions in working groups, composed of entities such as the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), Port Authority of Santos (APS), and state agencies.
Next Tuesday, the group will meet to define the final details before presenting the changed route to the community..
The expectation is that the new plan will be well received, as it addresses residents' concerns and offers a safer alternative.
The appreciation of expropriated properties
Another important point that generated discussions was the issue of expropriations.
The amount initially offered by the state government to residents whose properties would be affected was readjusted after conversations with the community.
According to Raquel França, the value per square meter, which was initially R$2,3, was adjusted to R$10 after meetings and research on property prices in the region..
This new proposal, presented on July 31, includes additional compensation that allows residents to find equivalent or better housing within the city of Santos.
The work schedule and upcoming challenges
Despite adjustments to the route and the value of the expropriations, the schedule for carrying out the work on the submerged tunnel remains firm.
The revised material is expected to be presented to the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU) by the end of 2024., with the publication of the notice expected for the second quarter of 2025.
The auction for the project is scheduled for August 2025, marking the beginning of construction, which should generate around 9 thousand direct jobs..
Although public hearings have now concluded, dialogue with the community and local authorities will continue until all final adjustments are made.
The expectation is that the work will be a milestone for Brazilian infrastructure, improving the flow between Santos and Guarujá, while respecting the demands of the local population..
The grandeur of the project
This tunnel will be one of the largest infrastructure projects underway in the country and promises to not only improve mobility between the two cities, but also boost the local economy, with the creation of thousands of jobs and million-dollar investments.
The project is estimated to cost almost 6 billion reais, and the positive impact will be felt by all residents of Baixada Santista..
Now, with the changes to the route and the guarantee that the community will be respected, the project has everything it needs to be a success.
It remains to be seen whether the work will be carried out on time and whether the impact on the neighborhood will actually be minimized..
Do you think this change in the route was the best solution to ensure the well-being of residents and the success of the project? Leave your opinion in the comments!
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