The project for a new railway connecting Rio de Janeiro to Espírito Santo, presented by Rio de Janeiro governor Cláudio Castro in a meeting with the President of Brazil, promises to transform the cargo transport scenario in the region and boost the local economy.

The proposal for Railway 118, with potential generate 6.000 jobs direct and indirect and collect around 457 million reais in taxes, aims to efficiently connect the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. With two axle options, the railway will facilitate the flow of agricultural production and iron ores, strengthening economic connections between states.

Details of the proposed axes:

Option A: Extends from Porto do Rio de Janeiro to the Port of Tubarão in Espírito Santo, connecting to Porto do Aço in Rio and Central in Espírito Santo. This axis requires an investment of approximately 7,8 billion reais.

Option B: Connects São João da Barra, in Rio, to Anchieta, in Espírito Santo, crossing 8 municipalities. More economical, this option has an estimated cost of 2,5 billion reais and is part of the extension of the central-west corridor.

Benefits of rail freight transport

The new railway is an efficient alternative to road transport, offering advantages such as lower energy costs, reduced traffic-accidents and greater load capacity. Investment in rail transport is crucial for sustainable development and reducing dependence on road transport in the region.

The implementation of this railway is a significant step towards the economic development of the Southeast. The region, already economically strategic, will gain additional momentum with the improvement of transport infrastructure, facilitating trade and industrial development.

Expectations and next steps

With the union of government efforts and the support of the presidency, the railway project between Rio and Espírito Santo is moving forward with positive expectations. The focus now is on choosing the axes, detailing the project and starting the implementation stages.

The new railway between Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo is a promise of renewal for cargo transport in the region, opening new economic opportunities and strengthening the infrastructure of Southeastern Brazil. The project, in addition to improving logistical efficiency, will also contribute to environmental sustainability and the socioeconomic development of the states involved.