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The long-awaited Metro Line 3, which will connect Rio de Janeiro to Niterói, may become reality. The monumental project, with an underwater tunnel in Guanabara Bay, is conditional on winning the bid for the 2031 Pan American Games. Mayors Paes and Neves promise progress, encouraging residents of the Rio Metropolitan Region. The estimated cost is R$4,5 billion.
Imagine Rio de Janeiro and Niterói finally united by a futuristic subway line, with an underwater tunnel crossing the iconic Guanabara Bay.
This vision, discussed for decades, has gained new momentum and a surprising condition: its realization depends on the joint victory of the cities in the dispute to host the 2031 Pan American Games.
This proposal, which is already stirring up political activity, rekindles hope for a project considered essential for the mobility of Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro.
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The famous Metro Line 3, dreamed of since 1968, may finally come to fruition, but progress is conditional on this international sporting event.
A promise that spans generations
The idea of connecting Rio de Janeiro and Niterói through a subway system is not new.
Since 1968, the Line 3 project has been the subject of countless debates, studies and even announcements of intentions that never came to fruition.
The main attraction has always been the proposal for an underwater tunnel under Guanabara Bay, a solution considered modern and efficient to overcome the limitations of the ferries and congestion on the Rio-Niterói Bridge.
In 2015, the estimated costs for the project were a staggering US$2,57 billion.
Now, with the renewed support of mayors Eduardo Paes and Rodrigo Neves, the updated value of the investment is calculated at R$4,5 billion.
Despite the high numbers, the project is considered viable and strategic for the region's infrastructure.
Pan American Games as key to viability
According to local authorities, the joint bid by the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói for the 2031 Pan American Games represents a watershed moment.
According to Rodrigo Neves, elected mayor of Niterói, holding the event would be the necessary stimulus to guarantee resources and make the construction of Line 3 viable.
“This is a unique opportunity to turn an old dream into reality,” Neves said in recent interviews.
He highlighted that conversations with the state government are advanced and that there is sufficient technical and political support to develop the project.
Eduardo Paes, mayor of Rio, shares the same enthusiasm.
Paes recalled the success of Line 4, which connected Barra da Tijuca to the South Zone, and highlighted the importance of a project of this magnitude for metropolitan integration.
He also compared the initiative to Porto Maravilha, another ambitious project that revitalized the center of the capital of Rio de Janeiro.
The submerged tunnel: a monumental work
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Line 3 project is the submerged tunnel beneath Guanabara Bay.
This structure would allow modern trains to cross the region quickly and safely, drastically reducing travel time between the two cities.
Although building a tunnel of this size is challenging, the history of similar projects in other countries shows that it is possible to carry out the project with current technologies.
Furthermore, Rio de Janeiro experience with the construction of tunnels in the central region of the city, such as those in Porto Maravilha, confidence in the execution of the plan is strengthened.
Candidacy for the Pan American Games has already been made official
The competition to host the 2031 Pan American Games is already underway.
The cities of Rio and Niterói have officially expressed their interest to the International Olympic Committee, highlighting the positive impact that the event would have on the region's infrastructure, tourism and economy.
The letter of intent, signed by the two mayors, represents a milestone in the search for resources and institutional support.
The success of this application, according to experts, could attract international investment and create a favorable environment to get Line 3 off the ground.
The importance of a lasting legacy
In addition to the Pan American Games, The Metro Line 3 project carries the promise of a lasting legacy for the residents of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói.
The metropolitan integration provided by the new line can revolutionize urban mobility, reducing congestion and promoting greater connectivity between regions.
Even though the cost of the work is high, the prospect of long-term benefits justifies the investment.
According to experts, Line 3 would not only improve the quality of life of public transport users, but would also boost the economic development of the cities involved.
Final question: Will the decades-old dream of a subway connecting Rio to Niterói come true with the help of the Pan American Games, or will the promise once again remain on paper?
