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Large-Scale Works Advance in Marabá with Traffic Impacts, Record Worker Hiring, and Significant Investments in the Regional Economy.
The simultaneous construction of two new bridges — one for vehicles and another for trains — over the Tocantins River, in Marabá, in southeastern Pará, has reached one of its most important stages and is already causing significant changes in traffic on BR-222.
The project, funded by the mining company Vale with an investment of R$ 4.1 billion, currently employs over 2,500 workers and is part of a strategic plan to double the last stretch of the Carajás Railway (EFC), essential for the transportation of iron ore and for the logistical integration of the region.
The progress of the works requires the adoption of detours for vehicle traffic on the federal highway BR-222.
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The main change involves access to the current road-rail bridge, which will operate through a detour for at least twelve months.
During this period, the construction of a lower passage (LP) will be essential for the intersection between the new structures and the highway.
According to information presented during a visit by local journalists to the Consórcio Ponte Rio Tocantins construction site, the start of this detour is expected to occur in the next 45 days and will be preceded by an official communication to the population, scheduled for 30 days before the intervention.
Billion-Dollar Investment Boosts Jobs and Economy in Marabá
With 58% of the physical schedule already executed by June 2025, the bridge project over the Tocantins River is one of the largest ongoing infrastructure projects in the country.
Started in 2022, it is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027.
According to Vale, by April of this year, R$ 248 million in services and supplies had been contracted, of which R$ 173 million has already been invoiced.
The total salary mass already distributed amounts to R$ 174 million, directly reflecting on the economy of Marabá and nearby municipalities.
The responsible consortium has met the requirement to hire regional suppliers, contributing to the generation of direct and indirect jobs and to the movement of various sectors, such as food, lodging, transportation, and engineering services.
During peak periods, the project brings together over 2,500 professionals, becoming one of the largest work hubs in Pará at this moment.
Traffic Changes on BR-222 and Urban Requalification
The arrival of the new bridges over the Tocantins River will cause significant changes in the traffic dynamics of the region.
On the Marabá side, the intersection with BR-222 will be transformed: the traffic light near the old Coca-Cola factory will be replaced by a roundabout, which is expected to favor traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks.
Drivers coming from BR-222 towards São Félix will have two crossing options — the old bridge or the new highway structure.
To access the new bridge, it will be necessary to navigate around the roundabout, go under the lower passage, and continue to the entrance of the bridge.
The entire surrounding area will undergo requalification to ensure a speed limit of 60 km/h, including on the new bridge, maintaining safety standards and traffic fluidity.
This restructuring has been planned taking into account the significant increase in traffic with the completion of the works.
Push Technique and Pre-Cast Elements in Bridge Construction
The construction of the two bridges utilizes modern engineering techniques.
The highlight is the so-called push technique, in which beams and boxes are manufactured on firm ground and then progressively pushed over the pillars erected in the riverbed.
Each segment, approximately 55 meters long, is coupled to the previous one, and the structure is advanced until it completes about 1.2 kilometers on each side.
The teams work simultaneously from Marabá and São Félix, until the structures meet at the central axis of the Tocantins River, where the navigable central span will be located.
Another distinguishing feature of the project is the industrialization of the processes.
The pre-cast pieces in “T” shape are produced in a specific assembly line and transported by cranes to the installation points.
This method reduces execution time and the number of workers operating directly over the river, increasing safety.
Technical Characteristics of the Bridges over the Tocantins River
The two bridges will each have 2.3 kilometers in length, with 41 pillars and two abutments, totaling 42 spans per structure.
The road bridge, aimed at light vehicles and trucks, features smaller double pillars and blocks in “H” shape.
The railway bridge, on the other hand, has been designed to support heavy loads, such as ore trains traveling along the Carajás Railway.
The project took into account the annual variation in the level of the Tocantins River, which can reach almost 10 meters, requiring a rigorous schedule and execution.
Both the metal and concrete structures are manufactured in the so-called pipe shop, considered one of the main construction sites, responsible for ensuring the precision and quality of the structural elements.
Operational Redundancy and Duplication of the Railway
According to engineers from the consortium, the new railway bridge was not designed with a focus on the immediate increase in Vale’s ore transport capacity, but to create operational redundancy.
This concept, essential in infrastructure, means that the duplication of the stretch eliminates the last bottleneck of the EFC, allowing for the diversion of trains in case of maintenance or incidents, ensuring continuity and safety for the company’s logistical system.
The duplication of the Carajás Railway (EFC) — which already has 900 kilometers with two tracks over almost its entire length — will be completed with the delivery of the bridges, placing Marabá in a strategic position in the Brazilian iron ore export corridor.
Approval, Licensing, and Monitoring of the Works
The project was submitted to studies, licensing, and approval from regulatory agencies.
All environmental and engineering permits were obtained before the beginning of the works, including authorizations for access ramps and the intersection with BR-222.
The consortium maintains continuous dialogue with the Public Ministry, the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT), and the Government of the State of Pará for the complete integration of the bridges into the regional road system.
Technical monitoring includes constant rainfall monitoring, the impact of rainfall on earthworks stages, control of navigability, and the level of the Tocantins River, decisive factors for safety and meeting deadlines.
The forecast is that all submerged foundations will be completed by the end of July 2025, one of the main milestones of the schedule.
Economic and Social Impacts of the Works in Marabá
The construction of the new bridges over the Tocantins River represents not only an engineering milestone but also a billion-dollar injection of resources and development opportunities for southeastern Pará.
By connecting and modernizing Vale’s logistical flow, the project also consolidates Marabá as a logistics and industrial center, generating jobs, income, and urban transformations.
With the duplication of the railway and requalification of the road network, the region is preparing for a new cycle of economic growth, with direct and indirect effects on various productive chains.
How do you assess the impact of this project on the future of transportation and regional development in Pará?
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