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The Transnordestina railway is moving forward with a billion-dollar investment and promises to connect the interior to the coast, generating jobs, strengthening infrastructure and placing the Northeast at the center of national economic development.
The Brazilian Northeast is about to experience a revolution in its transportation infrastructure with the resumption and acceleration of construction on the Transnordestina railroad. The Superintendence for the Development of the Northeast (Sudene) has approved financing of R$3,6 billion, earmarked for Transnordestina Logística (TLSA). This historic investment, approved on Tuesday (November 05), is a decisive step towards the completion of the railroad, which will connect Eliseu Martins, in Piauí, to the Port of Pecém, in Ceará, transforming the region's logistics scenario.
Transnordestina Railway: a strategic project for the regional and economic integration of the Northeast
The Transnordestina railway is one of Brazil’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, stretching over 1.200 kilometers. It will cross 53 municipalities in the states of Piauí, Ceará and Pernambuco, providing a new route for the transport of agricultural and mineral cargo. The project is part of the New Growth Acceleration Program (New PAC), a Federal Government initiative that aims to modernize the national infrastructure and stimulate economic growth.
To date, the railway has received a total of R$7,5 billion in investments, of which R$3,8 billion came from the Northeast Development Fund (FDNE). With the new contribution of R$3,6 billion, Sudene reaffirms its commitment to completing this fundamental project for the economic integration of the Northeast. The funds will be released in three annual stages of R$1 billion between 2024 and 2026, with a final contribution of R$600 million scheduled for 2027.
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Sudene and Banco do Nordeste: strategic partnerships to accelerate development
The role of Sudene, together with Banco do Nordeste (BNB), has been crucial in securing the resources needed to continue the Transnordestina railway. This financing represents more than just a simple injection of capital; it is a bet on the transformative potential of the railway for the economy of the Northeast.
According to Danilo Cabral, superintendent of Sudene, the completion of the railway will not only reduce logistics costs, but will also integrate local production chains with the ports of Pecém and Suape, two of the main logistics hubs in Brazil.
“We want to make the public rail transport policy effective, see freight trains cutting through the backlands of the Northeast, integrating production chains with the ports of Pecém and Suape, as well as regional development, generating employment and income for the population of the Northeast”, highlighted Cabral.
A significant boost to job creation and the local economy
In addition to transforming the logistical infrastructure, the Transnordestina railway promises to be a driver of job creation in the region. It is estimated that around 10 direct and indirect jobs will be created during the construction phase. This job creation is essential to strengthen the local economy and provide new opportunities for the populations of the municipalities crossed by the railway.
In the long term, the Transnordestina railway will have an even more significant impact by reducing transportation costs for agricultural and industrial producers. This will allow products from the Northeast to be more competitive in national and international markets, stimulating regional trade and attracting new investment to the region.
Project completion: a historic milestone for the Northeast
Despite the challenges faced over the years, the completion of the Transnordestina railway is getting closer. In August, during a visit to Ceará, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to the project, signing the service order for the section connecting Quixeramobim to Quixadá. The railway is expected to be fully completed by 2028, with sections already operational from 2027.
This project is more than just an infrastructure project; it is a symbol of a new era for the Northeast, which now has a modern and efficient railway. With the support of Sudene, the Northeast will not only be able to overcome historical logistical challenges, but also establish itself as a strategic logistics hub, integrating itself more efficiently into the global market.
Future expansion and new investments in infrastructure in the Northeast
In addition to completing the main section, the Federal Government is already planning the expansion of the Transnordestina railway. The section that would connect Salgueiro to Port of Suape, previously excluded from the TLSA concession, was reinstated into the New PAC and will have new resources.
In September, Infra SA, linked to the Ministry of Transport, signed a R$15,2 million contract with Consórcio Estratégica – Prosul to develop the basic and executive projects for this greenfield extension.
This expansion represents another step in strengthening regional infrastructure, with the potential to create thousands of additional jobs and consolidate the Northeast as one of Brazil's main logistics corridors.
Absurd Brazil, full of sober days, never thinks about transporting people. It could be next to the grain that feeds us. Serious countries have bullets that can travel 350 km per hour.
We, the people of Pernambuco, need answers to our questions: WHY was the stretch between Salgueiro and Suape neglected? We want the real reasons.
As far as I know, the distance is shorter, we have a port that needs movement, etc. etc.
Were these political issues?
To this day I have reservations about this governor of São Paulo, he was the one who made the choice, the correct thing to do would be to connect both branches