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Fixed connection between Morro dos Conventos and the locality of Ilhas will replace ferry crossing in Araranguá, in the South of Santa Catarina, with a concrete bridge, two lanes, pedestrian walkway, and LED lighting in one of the busiest tourist regions of the Santa Catarina coast.
The construction of the Ponte de Ilhas, over the Araranguá River, was authorized by the Government of Santa Catarina on March 24, 2026, and is expected to replace the ferry crossing between the locality of Ilhas and the Morro dos Conventos region, in Araranguá, in the south of the state.
The project foresees an investment of R$ 24.7 million, close to R$ 25 million, in an agreement between the state government and the city hall.
The structure will be 250 meters long, 11 meters wide, with two traffic lanes, a pedestrian walkway, and LED public lighting.
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The service order was signed by Governor Jorginho Mello in an event held in Araranguá.
According to the state government, the execution period for the work is 18 months, counted from the formal authorization to start the work.
The new bridge will create a fixed road connection in an area where travel still depends on ferry operation.
With the structure ready, residents, workers, and visitors will be able to cross the Araranguá River via a continuous route, without boarding, disembarking, or waiting for the river crossing.
Ponte de Ilhas will change access to Morro dos Conventos
The change directly affects access to the Balneário Morro dos Conventos, one of the most well-known tourist spots in Araranguá.
The region includes a beach, cliffs, river, and tourist circulation areas, especially during the busiest periods on the Santa Catarina coast.
In addition to serving visitors, the bridge is expected to reorganize daily commutes between communities near the river and the urban perimeter of the municipality.
The fixed crossing tends to provide more predictability to the route, especially for those who depend on the path for work, services, and daily activities.
Structure of the new bridge will have two lanes and LED lighting
The structure will be built in concrete, a standard used in road works for its resistance and ability to support regular traffic.
The planned width will allow for vehicles in both directions, as well as reserve space for pedestrians in a passage separate from the roadway.
LED lighting was included in the project to enhance visibility on the crossing.
In points over rivers, this type of equipment plays a significant role for nighttime circulation and for the safety of drivers and pedestrians using the connection at different times.
Government of Santa Catarina includes bike path in mobility package
The project also connects to a broader mobility agenda in southern Santa Catarina.
At the same ceremony, the government authorized the construction of a bike path on SC-447, in the stretch between Balneário Arroio do Silva and Araranguá, approximately eight kilometers long.
Although they are distinct interventions, the bridge and the bike path reinforce the attempt to improve regional circulation.
In the case of the Ilhas Bridge, the impact is concentrated on replacing an old crossing with a permanent structure over the Araranguá River.
Ferry crossing will be replaced by fixed connection
The connection between Ilhas and Morro dos Conventos had been awaited for decades by the local population, according to the Government of Santa Catarina.
The expectation is explained by the importance of the ferry in the routine of those who need to cross the river to access communities, services, and tourist areas.
With the implementation of the bridge, the river will remain a central element of the landscape but will no longer function as a barrier dependent on a vessel.
The crossing will become part of the municipality’s road network, bringing areas closer that are currently separated by the dynamics of river transport.
The company FFL, from São Paulo, won the bid to execute the work, according to information released by the regional press.
The contract involves state resources and municipal counterpart, within the agreement signed to enable the construction.
Project of R$ 25 million is expected to transform circulation in Araranguá
The Araranguá city hall had already presented illustrative images of the project in June 2025.
At the time, the municipal administration highlighted the bridge as an anticipated connection to link Ilhas, Morro dos Conventos, and the urban surroundings.
The replacement of the ferry with a fixed bridge usually changes the traffic logic in cities crossed by rivers.
In Araranguá, this change will impact travel time, traffic organization, and access to one of the most visited areas of the municipality.
The construction does not eliminate the historical importance of the ferry crossing, but changes its role in local mobility.
With the new passage, the crossing between the banks no longer depends on the capacity and operating hours of the vessel.
The project is also expected to benefit service providers, commerce, and tourism-related activities.
In coastal regions, ease of access influences the movement of people, the meeting of urban demands, and economic activity during peak periods.
Araranguá is located in the far south of Santa Catarina, in a region marked by rivers, highways, and access to the coast.
The Ilhas Bridge reinforces this characteristic by creating a direct connection over the Araranguá River, bringing communities and tourist areas closer.
With an expected duration of 18 months, the construction is part of the mobility intervention schedule that may change local circulation in the coming years.
The stage authorized in 2026 paves the way for the construction of the structure and the adaptation of the necessary road accesses.
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