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Never-Before-Seen Structure on the Santa Catarina Coast Will Connect Itajaí and Navegantes Below the Itajaí-Açu River, with Lanes for Vehicles, Buses, Cyclists, and Pedestrians, in a Project That Involves International Technology and Billion-Dollar Investment.
The connection between Itajaí and Navegantes, on the North Coast of Santa Catarina, advanced with the approval of financing for the implementation of a submerged tunnel of 500 meters in length and 36 meters in width.
The structure will be used for vehicles, public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists.
According to the Intermunicipal Multifunctional Consortium of AMFRI (CIM-Amfri), the average crossing time for cars could be up to two minutes.
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In July, the National Treasury Secretariat (STN) authorized an international credit operation worth US$ 12.19 million (approximately R$ 66 million) for the City Hall of Navegantes.
The funds will be allocated to the preparation and structuring phase of the project.
Current Situation of the Crossing
The cities are separated by the Itajaí-Açu River, considered the main river in the region.
The population uses two routes to cross: the bridge on the BR-101 or the ferries, which transport vehicles and pedestrians.
According to CIM-Amfri, the use of BR-101 adds local traffic to the existing flow on the federal highway, while the operation of the ferries can create queues and increase waiting times.
Architect Rafael Albuquerque, a member of the consortium, stated: “The local traffic, commuting between the cities, when using the federal highway ends up adding to the usual traffic on this federal highway.
Or it is at the mercy of long waiting lines to use the ferries. In terms of urban mobility, our region is on the brink of collapse.”
Reasons for Choosing the Submerged Tunnel
The project of the Itajaí Navegantes submerged tunnel was chosen due to limitations for constructing a bridge.
The Navegantes Airport has a maximum height restriction of 45 meters to avoid interfering with the flight path of aircraft.
At the same time, port operations require a minimum height of 65 meters to allow the passage of ships.
According to Albuquerque, “the determining factor was the height required for a bridge connection.
For the airport, the maximum height limit accepted is 45 meters, while for port demands, the minimum height accepted is 65 meters.”
The alternative of an immersed tunnel has been discussed for about eight years within the consortium’s technical scope.
Characteristics of the Structure
The structure will be 29 meters deep, allowing navigation for vessels with a draft of up to 14 meters.
The project foresees two parallel road tubes, each with three lanes in each direction, being one exclusive for public transport in each direction.
Between the tubes, there will be a central gallery for pedestrians and cyclists, with moving walkways and access by elevators.
The ramps will have a maximum slope of 5%.
Pedestrians and cyclists will be exempt from payment, while vehicles will pay a toll (amount not yet defined).
The immersed tunnel between Itajaí and Navegantes will not be transparent.
Lighting, ventilation, and monitoring will follow technical standards applied to urban tunnels.
The exact location of the accesses will be determined after geotechnical studies.
Investment and Execution Model
The work will be carried out through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
The contracted company will be responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the structure for a period defined in the contract.
The estimated investment is US$ 180 million (around R$ 975 million), subject to review after the completion of studies.
The Government of Santa Catarina reported that there will be state financial participation.
The forecast for the publication of the bidding announcement is 18 to 24 months after signing the contract with the World Bank.
Expected Deadlines
According to CIM-Amfri, the works are expected to start in the second half of 2028, provided that the contract with the World Bank is signed by October of this year.
The delivery of the structure is estimated for 2032. Changes to the schedule will depend on the progress of technical studies, the bidding process, and any environmental conditions.
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