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A submerged tunnel, the first in Latin America, will connect Santos and Guarujá in a 2-minute crossing, but the relocation of 700 families concerns residents of Santos, highlighting the social challenges of a monumental project.
According to the Litoral Newspaper, in information released on Tuesday (19), Anderson Pomini, president of the Port Authority of Santos (APS), met with residents of the Macuco neighborhood in Santos to discuss a controversial topic: the expropriations necessary for the construction of the Santos-Guarujá tunnel, a billion-dollar project that promises to revolutionize mobility between the cities.
During the meeting, Pomini emphasized that the APS’s position is aligned with the Government of the State of São Paulo, prioritizing the least possible number of expropriations and ensuring that any compensation is fair, calculated based on the market value per square meter.
“I met with Governor Tarcísio (Gomes de Freitas), who informed that the environmental license should be granted this year, with the tender likely to be published in February next year.
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Our intention is to make it clear in the tender that compensations, in the case of expropriations, will be paid at a fair, market value,” said Pomini.
Called by the secretary of the Macuco Community Association, José Santaella Redorat, the meeting was attended by about 30 residents concerned about the layout of the accesses to the tunnel and the financial impacts of the expropriations.
Pomini emphasized his defense for zero expropriation and the least possible social impact, pointing out that the tender will define obligations for the winning private company of the PPP.
Despite the explanations, residents showed concern and indicated that they would seek new studies on the value per square meter of the properties that could be affected.
Understand the Submerged Tunnel Project
The Santos-Guarujá tunnel will be the first in Latin America built under the sea, connecting the two cities with a crossing of just two minutes.
With an estimated investment of R$ 6 billion, the project will feature six traffic lanes, bike paths, and space for the VLT (Light Rail Vehicle), providing a modern and multifunctional connection.
Currently, the crossing between Santos and Guarujá is done by ferries, which frequently face long lines and delays.
The new infrastructure promises to solve this problem, in addition to reducing the impact of road traffic around the Port of Santos, the largest in Latin America.
Financing and Schedule
The project will be carried out through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), with 86% of the costs covered by the Government of São Paulo and the Ministry of Ports and Airports.
The publication of the tender is scheduled for February 2025, and construction should begin in the same year, with completion expected by 2028.
In addition to improving mobility, the tunnel will also boost port logistics, ensuring greater efficiency in cargo transport without interfering with ship operations.
Economic Impact: 9,000 Direct and Indirect Jobs
One of the main attractions of the project is its potential to generate jobs. During construction, it is estimated that 9,000 direct and indirect job openings will be created, covering sectors such as civil construction, engineering, and logistics.
The project is also expected to boost tourism and the local economy by facilitating access between the cities and integrating the road system with the Guarujá Regional Airport.
Controversy and Social Challenges
Although the tunnel represents a significant advance, it also faces resistance due to the expropriations in the Macuco neighborhood.
About 700 families may be impacted by the layout of the tunnel accesses.
To minimize the impacts, the Santos city hall suggested creating a “superblock” to relocate some of the families.
However, many residents fear that the compensations offered will not be enough to acquire equivalent properties in the same region.
“It is important to ensure that all affected individuals are treated fairly, but also that collective interests prevail,” said a project representative during the meeting.
A Milestone for National Infrastructure
The Santos-Guarujá tunnel will be a turning point for transportation in Brazil, putting the country on the radar of major international engineering projects.
It is expected to not only improve the lives of thousands of people but also become a model of modernity and sustainability.
However, it will be essential to balance the benefits of the project with the associated social costs.
The issue of expropriations must be resolved transparently and fairly to avoid conflicts that could jeopardize the advancement of the project.
And you, what do you think of this billion-dollar project? Do the benefits justify the social impacts, or is there another solution to connect Santos and Guarujá?
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