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For more than a decade, an overpass nicknamed the “world’s largest pool table” has remained unfinished on the highway. Designed to revolutionize traffic in the region, the construction has become a symbol of neglect.
On the side of the highway that leads to the beaches of São Francisco do Sul, an imposing structure attracts the attention of drivers and residents.
Built over a decade ago, it remains unfinished, raising questions about its purpose and the reason for its halt.
After all, how did a project planned to improve regional logistics become a symbol of abandonment?
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Popularly known as the “world’s largest pool table”, the viaduct on SC-415, close to the junction with BR-280, it was designed to facilitate road traffic on the Duque de Caxias road.
According to a report by the NSC Total portal, the structure would allow vehicles to travel over it, while freight trains, destined for the Port of São Francisco do Sul, would pass underneath, integrating the future railway contour of the region.
However, the works were interrupted in 2011 for a review of the project and, since then, have remained stagnant.
Work history
Started in 2006, the construction of the São Francisco do Sul railway bypass aimed to divert rail traffic from the urban perimeter, reducing the disruption caused by trains passing through the city center.
However, technical problems, such as the need to stabilize embankments on soft soils, led to the suspension of work in 2011.
Since then, the viaduct structure has remained unfinished, becoming a landmark of interrupted public works.
Resumption attempts
In March 2023, the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT) announced the obtaining of the environmental license for the São Francisco do Sul railway bypass, bringing the possibility of resuming works closer.
The planning included launching a new tender by May of that year, with work expected to begin in 2024 and be completed in 2027.
The estimated budget for the project was R$225 million, with R$54 million foreseen in the Union budget for 2023.
In August 2023, DNIT published a call for proposals, adopting the semi-integrated contracting regime, in accordance with the new Bidding Law.
In this model, the contracted company is responsible for preparing the executive project and executing the works.
Proposals were opened in October 2023, with construction expected to begin in 2024 and be completed in 2027.
Expected impacts
The completion of the São Francisco do Sul railway bypass, which is approximately 9 kilometers long, promises significant benefits for the region.
In addition to removing rail traffic from the urban center, the work should speed up the flow of products destined for export and import through the Port of São Francisco do Sul.
Currently, around 3,5 million tons of grain arrive at the port annually via rail, and the new structure will facilitate this flow, reducing noise, pollution and the risk of accidents in the urban area.
Current situation from the 'pool table'
As of January 2025, there is no updated information on the progress of the works on the São Francisco do Sul railway bypass.
The initial forecast was that work would resume in 2024, with completion in 2027.
However, delays in infrastructure projects are common in Brazil, and the local population continues to await the completion of the work, which, for now, remains an unfinished monument in the region's landscape.
For experts, the viaduct nicknamed the “world’s largest pool table” is an emblematic example of the challenges faced in public works in Brazil. Technical problems, bureaucracy and lack of resources contribute to the paralysis of projects that could bring significant improvements to the population.
The expectation is that, with the resumption of works on the São Francisco do Sul railway bypass, the region will finally be able to enjoy the benefits planned almost two decades ago.
