Abandoned Railway Project in Rio de Janeiro Makes a Triumphant Return, State May Undergo Radical Economic Transformation

Written by Alisson Ficher

Published on 11/10/2024 at 14:12

A ferrovia EF-118 pode transformar o Porto do Açu e o estado do Rio de Janeiro, mas enfrenta sérios desafios políticos e logísticos. (Imagem: Reprodução/Canva)

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The Project of the EF-118, Abandoned Railway, Is Reviving with Potential to Revolutionize the Economy of Rio de Janeiro. Discover How!

The Revolution in Brazilian Railways Is About to Happen! What seemed like a distant dream, a long-abandoned railway project, gains new life and could significantly change the economy of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

With the growing mobilization of various social and political actors, the future of the state’s railway infrastructure is being reconfigured, promising a vital connection to the Port of Açu and the national railway network.

On October 9th, Firjan (Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro) held a crucial public hearing, where demands regarding the execution of the Estrada de Ferro 118 (EF-118) were presented.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Historic Mobilization

The president of Firjan Norte Fluminense, Francisco Roberto de Siqueira, emphasized the importance of this mobilization:

“Firjan is preparing a public document to be signed with various Fluminense entities. This proposal will be sent to ANTT, to demonstrate the seriousness of the issue to the organized civil society of Rio.”

Vital Connection

The EF-118 is a project aimed at connecting the Port of Açu and Northern Fluminense to the national railway network, becoming a key element for the development of the state’s infrastructure.

With the inclusion of Rio de Janeiro in public hearings on the early renewal of FCA, ANTT (National Land Transport Agency) recognizes the relevance of the project, which also implies the return of part of the former railway network to the Federal Government.

Political Strategy

The infrastructure manager of Firjan, Isaque Ouverney, highlighted the fierce dispute for the indemnity of the old railway, which involves the active participation of other states: “There is significant political weight in this process, and we see other states participating more robustly.”

He stressed the urgency of a joint mobilization: “Firjan is engaging in dialogue with Fluminense political forces to try to sensitize them in this regard.

This is a crucial discussion for the success of the EF-118; a window of opportunities that we need to seize.”

Phase of Public Hearings

The public hearings, taking place until the end of October, are fundamental for the project’s future. After the phase of debates, the contributions will be analyzed by ANTT before the publication of the result with the proposals that will or will not be considered.

The Federal Court of Accounts will also make its assessment before the signing, with a deadline for completion in the second half of 2025.

Espírito Santo Takes the Lead

The neighboring state, Espírito Santo, is already ahead in the process, having received in July 2024 the basic engineering project of the Kennedy railway, the first section of the EF-118.

This section, which connects Anchieta to Presidente Kennedy, on the border with Rio de Janeiro, was donated by Vale and encompasses 92.8 km in length, interconnecting with the federal railway network.

With a Fluminense stretch of 160 km still to be developed, the expansion of the EF-118 to the Port of Açu could be the key to connecting the state to regions such as the Midwest, North, and Northeast of Brazil.

A New Horizon

The resurgence of the discussion surrounding the EF-118 represents a new hope for the Fluminense economy. Expectations that railway infrastructure could boost regional economic development are high.

With the support of civil society, local authorities, and the business community, the project could finally come to fruition, transforming the economic landscape of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Final Question: Do you believe that the return of the EF-118 project can truly transform the economy of Rio de Janeiro?

41 Comments

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Decio caneppele

#65303

20/10/2024 15:06

Sem dúvida.

Respond

Ivan Corrêa Guedes

#63013

17/10/2024 14:17

Sim.

A malha ferroviária nacional foi sucateada p interesse das empresas de transportes rodoviário.

Respond

Ricardo

#62809

17/10/2024 08:52

O modal ferroviário é importante e urgente. Lamentável num país como o nosso, ainda se discutir importância.
Deveriam discutir projetos e implantações.
Penso em lobbies contrários, o que causa espanto num país tão grande e diverso.
Por exemplo, os aeroportos de Guarulhos e Congonhas ainda, em 2024!, não tem conexões férreas aos seus terminais.
Aeroportos são mini cidades, com diversas demandas.

Respond

Abandoned Railway Project in Rio de Janeiro Makes a Triumphant Return, State May Undergo Radical Economic Transformation

The Project of the EF-118, Abandoned Railway, Is Reviving with Potential to Revolutionize the Economy of Rio de Janeiro. Discover How!

Historic Mobilization

Vital Connection

Political Strategy

Phase of Public Hearings

Espírito Santo Takes the Lead

A New Horizon

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Abandoned Railway Project in Rio de Janeiro Makes a Triumphant Return, State May Undergo Radical Economic Transformation

The Project of the EF-118, Abandoned Railway, Is Reviving with Potential to Revolutionize the Economy of Rio de Janeiro. Discover How!

Historic Mobilization

Vital Connection

Political Strategy

Phase of Public Hearings

Espírito Santo Takes the Lead

A New Horizon

Seven world powers including the US, China, and Russia are spending €22 billion on a reactor in the south of France that aims to confine plasma at 150 million degrees Celsius, ten times the temperature of the Sun’s core, using a magnetic field capable of lifting an entire aircraft carrier.

While Brazil has been discussing bullet trains for 16 years, China delivers 5 new high-speed lines in 2026, surpasses 50,000 km of HSR, and moves 1 billion passengers in a single year.

Elon Musk’s internet comes to mobile: Starlink technology connects smartphones without an antenna via satellite, works even without carrier signal, already costs just US$10 extra in the US, and could arrive in Brazil as an included benefit.

With a wingspan of 152 meters, 76 tires, and a capacity to carry 1,270 tons, the Boeing Pelican was the giant “flying ship” that promised to cross oceans close to the water on an invisible air cushion beneath its wings.

While countries spend billions to draw water from the sea, a Nobel-winning scientist creates a container-sized machine that extracts up to 1,000 liters per day from dry air and uses ultrasound to release water in minutes, even in the middle of the desert.

Belgium will sink 23 giant concrete caissons, each weighing 22,000 tons, in the North Sea to build the world’s first artificial energy island 45 km off the coast, forming offshore electrical walls.

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