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The Salvador-Itaparica Bridge, with an investment of R$10,42 billion, is about to be built! Approved by the TCE-BA, the project promises to transform mobility, reduce distances and boost the economy of 250 municipalities in Bahia. Find out how this megastructure will revolutionize the state and benefit millions of people.
Bahia, known for its natural beauty and rich culture, is about to witness a project that promises to revolutionize its infrastructure and economy.
A grand construction is about to become a reality, connecting strategic points and bringing benefits to millions of Bahians.
The Court of Auditors of the State of Bahia (TCE-BA) approved, in a plenary session held on February 11, 2025, the proposal for mediation between the State Government and the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge Concessionaire.
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This approval updates the overall value of the contract from R$7 billion to R$10,42 billion, following favorable votes from the seven TCE councilors.
The new value is lower than the R$13 billion initially requested by the consortium after the pandemic, a reduction attributed to the TCE mediation.
TCE approval and next steps
With the approval, the government of Jerônimo Rodrigues (PT) plans to sign, in the coming weeks, the additional term that will allow the start of works in Baía de Todos-os-Santos.
The rapporteur, councilor Marcus Presidio, highlighted that the contract needed to be reviewed due to the economic impacts of the covid-19 pandemic, which caused significant increases in the prices of civil construction and steel materials, in addition to the increase in the basic interest rate.
Main adjustments to the contract
The main proposed changes include:
- Increase in total public contribution to R$5,07 billion, with a base date of August 2024;
- Change in the annual consideration to R$371 million in the first ten years of full operation and R$170 million in the subsequent period;
- Update of contract value;
- Extension of the construction schedule from five to six years;
- Reduction of the effective operating period from 30 to 29 years.
Economic and social impacts
The construction of the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge is considered one of the largest infrastructure projects in Brazil and promises to change the socioeconomic reality of the entire state of Bahia.
250 municipalities will benefit, especially those in Recôncavo Sul, Baixo Sul and the Metropolitan Region of Salvador.
It is estimated that around eight thousand jobs will be created during the work, which will require investments of approximately R$9 billion.
The bridge will allow Bahians and tourists to travel around the state more quickly and safely, in addition to boosting the tourism sector in several cities.
Work details and expected completion date
The Salvador-Itaparica Bridge will be the largest over water in Latin America, with completion scheduled for 2028.
The initial project planned for completion in 2025, but the pandemic delayed the start of construction.
The responsible concessionaire is formed by the Chinese companies CCCC (China Communications Construction Company) and CRCC/CR20 (China Railway 20 Bureau Group Corporation).
The concession contract has a duration of 35 years, four of which are for construction and 30 for administration of the bridge.
Benefits for mobility and economy with the bridge
Currently, anyone traveling from the metropolitan region of Salvador to Itaparica Island travels 238 km by car or uses ferries, with a travel time of around 1h40.
With the new bridge, this time will be reduced to approximately 10 minutes.
The estimated fare to cross the bridge is R$56, while the ferry costs R$58,50 for vehicles, plus R$6,50 per person.
On weekends, the ferry fare increases to R$82,90 for vehicles and R$8,60 per passenger.
In addition to saving time, the bridge will play an important role in the social and economic development of southern Bahia, allowing greater integration between the metropolitan region and the south of the state.
The project will also improve Salvador's connection with southern Brazil, where the country's largest GDPs are concentrated, reducing logistics costs in transporting goods within Bahia and between states that pass through Bahian territory.
Financing and sustainability
In December 2024, the Government da Bahia signed a loan agreement for the construction of the bridge, with an agreement providing for up to US$ 150 million, approximately R$ 800 million.
The work also includes the implementation of educational projects and socio-environmental programs that will enable the training of local residents in various areas of activity, promoting sustainability and regional development.
The Salvador-Itaparica Bridge represents a milestone in Bahia's infrastructure, promising to transform mobility, boost the economy and promote sustainable development in several regions of the state.
THIS TOLL IS VERY EXPENSIVE, UGH, NOBODY DESERVES THIS AMOUNT,
I want to be alive, or my grandchildren to use this bridge.
I can imagine those people who are against it, this bridge is one of the most revolutionary works in Brazil. However, there are still people against it. Congratulations JERÔNIMO.