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State Prepares For A Revolution In Transportation! A New 145 Km Highway And R$ 7 Billion Promises To Relieve BR-101 With Overpasses, Bridges And A Huge Tunnel. Will It Be The Salvation Of Traffic Or Just Another Ambitious Project?
If you think that the road infrastructure in Santa Catarina has already reached its limit, think again.
A colossal project is underway and promises to transform mobility, tourism, and even the transportation market in the state.
With an investment of R$ 7 billion and a length of 145 kilometers, the new highway parallel to BR-101, called Eixo Rodoviário Via Mar, is about to change the landscape of northern Santa Catarina’s coastline.
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Behind this ambitious endeavor, a series of challenges and promises are being put to the test.
Via Mar is not just a new road, but rather a strategic alternative aimed at alleviating the chaotic traffic on BR-101, while also boosting the local economy.
But will this project truly meet the logistical and transportation needs of the region?
What Is Behind Via Mar?
The project of Eixo Rodoviário Via Mar is more than just a simple road duplication.
It involves a complete restructuring of the road infrastructure in the state, with overpasses, bridges, and even a tunnel, designed to provide an efficient and safe route for cargo traffic and the transport of tourists.
The new highway will be an option to relieve BR-101, which has been facing a growing volume of traffic for years with no solutions in sight.
The government of Santa Catarina is betting big on this investment, expecting that the project will not only improve mobility but also boost the transportation and tourism sector in the region.
The project, already underway, was detailed in a ceremony presided over by Governor Jorginho Mello, with the presence of various authorities and local leaders.
The completion of this new route is scheduled for 2026, and its impact will be felt across various sectors of society.
How Will The New Highway Be?
Via Mar will be a highway of 145.215 kilometers, connecting Joinville, in the north of the state, to the Contorno Viário de Florianópolis, in the central region.
The route will be divided into five lots, four of which have already had their projects authorized, and a fifth is still pending signature.
Each section will have specific characteristics tailored to local needs, but all with a common goal: to relieve the pressure on BR-101, one of the most important and congested highways in Brazil.
The first lot will have a length of 26.85 km, linking Joinville to Guaramirim, and will include two bridges and two overpasses.
The second lot, from Guaramirim to Massaranduba, will be 21.09 km long and will feature one bridge and one overpass.
The third section, between Massaranduba and Navegantes, will be 16.77 km long, with eight retaining walls and two bridges.
The fourth lot, from Navegantes to Itajaí, will measure 25.87 km, with four overpasses and four bridges.
Finally, the fifth lot, still in the signing process, will be the longest at 54.72 km, connecting Itajaí to Florianópolis and including a tunnel that will become one of the largest artworks of the highway.
Public-Private Partnerships: The Way To Make The Project Feasible
One of the major advantages of this project is the feasibility through public-private partnerships (PPP).
According to the Deputy Secretary of Infrastructure of Santa Catarina, Ricardo Grando, Eixo Rodoviário Via Mar will be an undertaking that will have “the DNA of partnerships”.
This means that the government will seek private investors to help finance and implement the project, making it more viable and efficient.
The Technical, Economic and Environmental Feasibility Study (EVTEA), costing R$ 552,590.25, has already been conducted and helped define the best solutions for the project.
The expectation is that the private sector will be interested in investing in the construction and operation of the new highway, contributing to the improvement of traffic conditions and infrastructure in the state.
Economic and Logistical Impacts
The impact of the new highway goes beyond traffic issues. Via Mar is a key piece for improving the economy of Santa Catarina, especially in the areas of transportation and tourism.
According to Dagnor Schneider, president of the Federation of Cargo Transport Companies of Santa Catarina (Fetrancesc), the collapse of the current road network has caused significant losses for the sector, with additional transportation costs exceeding R$ 1 million per year.
These costs, in addition to affecting transporters, directly impact the ports of Itajaí, Navegantes, and Itapoá, which are crucial for Santa Catarina’s trade and exports.
With Via Mar, it is expected that cargo movement will be more efficient, contributing to the recovery of the state’s competitiveness and boosting tourism in the famous coastal cities.
The new highway also has the potential to improve the logistics of goods and services distribution throughout the state, allowing for smoother traffic and better flow of local productions.
This optimization in transportation will primarily benefit companies that depend on agility in deliveries and in the transport of heavy cargo.
Is The Government Prepared For Tolls?
A common question about large road infrastructure projects is the possibility of installing tolls.
During the launch ceremony, Governor Jorginho Mello was asked about this point.
He declared that there is no intention to implement tolls on existing highways, but did not rule out the possibility of charging tolls on Via Mar.
The governor explained that the goal of the project is to attract investors interested in building and operating the new highway, which includes the possible charging of tolls to ensure the financial feasibility of the project.
There is still no definition on the rates, but this is a topic that will continue to be discussed throughout the development of the project.
The Future Of Mobility In Santa Catarina
The investment of R$ 7 billion in Via Mar is just part of a larger effort by the Santa Catarina government to modernize the state’s infrastructure.
This project is part of the Estrada Boa Program, which encompasses more than 40 road works throughout the state.
The new highway is one of the most anticipated, not only for its logistical importance but also for the expectation that it will improve the flow of tourists to the region.
The environmental studies necessary for the licensing of the project began in October 2024, and the process of contracting the companies responsible for construction is already underway.
With the completion of Via Mar, it is expected that the state will make a significant leap in terms of mobility and the competitiveness of its economy.
Via Mar emerges as an ambitious, but necessary, solution to the challenges faced by Santa Catarina, a state that suffers from the overload of BR-101.
With the project, the question remains: will the highway truly transform the logistics and tourism of Santa Catarina? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the future of mobility in the state will be completely reconfigured with the completion of this project.
Faltam apenas 19 meses pras eleições, então……………
Quem fez a 101 ???
Top demais… temos certeza que será um sucesso… parabéns a todos os envolvidos