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The government surprises by opting for an underwater tunnel to connect Itajaí and Navegantes, leaving aside the project for a monumental bridge. The project promises to revolutionize mobility and the local economy.
Connecting neighboring cities through a monumental bridge is often the most common solution to overcome natural obstacles such as rivers and canals.
However, in Santa Catarina, this logic was subverted with a bold and innovative choice.
Instead of building a bridge, the state government opted for a underwater tunnel, an unprecedented project in Brazil that promises to transform the region's mobility and economy. But what was the reason for this unexpected decision?
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Strategic decision to avoid structural constraints
According to Total NSC, the coordinator of the mobility project, João Luiz Demantova, explained that the decision to abandon the bridge was made because structural constraints imposed by naval traffic and the proximity of the local airport.
The Itajaí-Açu River, where large ships pass to the ports of Santa Catarina, would require the bridge to be at a height of 65 meters at its highest point so as not to interfere with navigation. However, this requirement came up against a air limitation.
The nearby Navegantes Airport imposes a maximum height of 45 meters for any construction in the aircraft approach area. This conflict made the construction of the bridge unfeasible.
Submerged tunnel: the viable and innovative alternative
Faced with this impasse, the government of Santa Catarina resorted to an innovative solution. The underwater tunnel will allow crossing under the river without interfering with air or sea traffic, ensuring efficient infrastructure for the region.
Although it is a rare model in Brazil, the technology has already been successfully applied in other countries.
The project foresees that precast blocks are submerged and sealed at the bottom of the river, creating a safe underground corridor for vehicles.
This technology has been used in several parts of the world to solve similar problems, ensuring safety and efficiency when crossing between cities separated by waterways.
Comparisons with other projects in Brazil
Brazilian experience with underwater tunnels is still limited. A similar project is currently being developed to connect Santos and Guaruja, in São Paulo, but faces several delays and financial challenges.
With this, Santa Catarina has the opportunity to lead a new infrastructure model, which could become a reference for future projects in other regions of the country.
The Santa Catarina government expects that the bidding for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) responsible for the work to be launched in the first half of next year.
In addition to providing a new solution for mobility, the tunnel has the potential to boost economic development of the region, reducing travel time between Itajaí and Navegantes.
Economic benefits and regional impact
The choice of the submerged tunnel represents more than a technical solution. It is a strategy to strengthen the local economy and improve Santa Catarina's logistics infrastructure.
The Port of Itajaí, one of the most important in Brazil, will be able to directly benefit from this faster and more efficient connection.
Furthermore, the work has the potential to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs during its construction.
The positive impact should also be reflected in real estate appreciation and the growth of local commerce.
Improved travel between cities tends to attract new investments, boosting sectors such as tourism, services and industry.
Future challenges and concerns
Despite the expected benefits, the project faces significant challenges. The engineering of an underwater tunnel requires detailed planning to ensure the structural safety and durability of the project.
There are also environmental concerns, as intervention in the riverbed could affect the local ecosystem.
Another point of attention is compliance with deadlines and costs. Large-scale projects in Brazil often face delays and budgets that exceed what was planned.
Transparency in project execution will be essential to ensure that the expected benefits are realized.
The future of mobility in Santa Catarina with the new tunnel
The underwater tunnel between Itajaí and Navegantes could become a milestone in Brazilian infrastructure, inaugurating a more efficient model of connection between cities.
The initiative positions Santa Catarina at the forefront of engineering and can inspire similar solutions in other regions of the country.
The local population, in turn, is eagerly awaiting the next steps. Will the project be executed on schedule? Will costs be kept within the expected range? Will the economic impact be as positive as expected? These are questions that only time will tell.
In a serious country, this type of project is very suitable. The state of Santa Catarina has good highways and a good infrastructure to guarantee a project like this. However, if it also depends on the Brazilian government, it can take decades to complete a project of this magnitude. The resources will be available at a snail's pace and it will take forever to complete.
I agree with M. Ben-Hur, in addition to taking decades, the value of the contract will certainly be overpriced, where there are politicians involved you cannot expect much.
Consumer money will probably sink in this project just like the tunnel.