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Santos-Guarujá Immersed Tunnel, Estimated at Nearly 6 Billion Reais, Will Undergo a Route Change to Avoid Impact on Residents. The Project Is Expected to Create 9,000 Jobs and Improve Mobility Between Cities.
A billionaire project that promises to revolutionize mobility between Santos and Guarujá is about to undergo significant changes.
The construction of an immersed tunnel, which initially would bring a large impact to the local population, had its route altered after pressure from the community.
But what motivated this alteration and what will be the next steps for one of the largest infrastructure projects in Brazil? Find out all about it now and see how this decision could transform the region!
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According to the director of the São Paulo Partnerships Company, Raquel França Carneiro, the nearly 6 billion reais tunnel that will connect Santos to Guarujá under the sea has undergone a route change to avoid inconveniences for local residents.
Initially, the construction would include a binary branch that would pass between Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves Avenue and José do Patrocínio Street, in the Macuco neighborhood of Santos.
However, after suggestions from the community, a solution was chosen that minimizes urban impact.
The Decision to Abandon the Binary Route
According to a report published this Monday (21) by the newspaper A Tribuna, the original project faced resistance from the Macuco neighborhood community, which expressed concerns regarding the impacts of heavy truck traffic during the construction.
According to Raquel, after the submission of the Environmental Impact Study and Report (EIA-Rima) in May of this year, the contributions from residents led to a revision of the route.
The new route, proposed by the residents themselves, includes the creation of a superblock, ensuring that the area is isolated and used as a construction site, distancing heavy vehicle traffic from residences.
The idea of the superblock, known as “glass dome,” aims to segregate a defined area between José do Patrocínio Street and the avenues Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves and Senador Dantas.
This would protect the houses that will not be expropriated from impacts such as cracks and other inconveniences caused by the intense movement of trucks.
Many properties in the area are old, and residents fear that the execution of the works will bring irreversible structural damage.
Next Steps in the Process
With the approval of the new route, the project moves forward to discussions in working groups composed of entities such as the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq), Port Authority of Santos (APS), and state agencies.
Next Tuesday, the group will meet to finalize the details before presenting the altered route to the community.
The expectation is that the new plan will be well received, as it addresses the concerns of residents and offers a safer alternative.
The Valuation of Expropriated Properties
Another important point that generated discussions was the issue of expropriations.
The value initially offered by the state government to residents whose properties would be affected was readjusted after conversations with the community.
According to Raquel França, the value per square meter, which was initially R$ 2,300, has been adjusted to R$ 10,000 after meetings and research on property prices in the region.
This new proposal, presented on July 31, includes additional compensation that allows residents to find equivalent or better housing within the city of Santos.
The Timeline of the Project and Upcoming Challenges
Despite adjustments to the route and expropriation values, the timeline for the construction of the immersed tunnel remains firm.
The revised material is expected to be presented to the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) by the end of 2024, with the publication of the notice anticipated for the second quarter of 2025.
The project’s auction is scheduled for August 2025, marking the start of construction, which should generate around 9,000 direct jobs.
Although the public hearings have already concluded, dialogue with the community and local authorities will continue until all final adjustments are made.
The expectation is that the project will be a milestone for Brazilian infrastructure, improving traffic between Santos and Guarujá while respecting the demands of the local population.
The Grandeur of the Project
This tunnel will be one of the largest infrastructure projects underway in the country and promises not only to improve mobility between the two cities but also to boost the local economy, creating thousands of jobs and millions in investments.
The project is estimated at nearly 6 billion reais, and the positive impact will be felt by all residents of the Baixada Santista.
Now, with the changes in the route and the assurance that the community will be respected, the project has everything to be a success.
It remains to be seen whether the project will be completed on time and whether the impact on the neighborhood will truly be minimized.
Do you think that this alteration in the route was the best solution to ensure the well-being of residents and the success of the project? Leave your opinion in the comments!
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