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Submerged mega-project promises to shorten crossing between Santos and Guarujá, reduce historic queues, and impact the logistics of Latin America’s largest port, with direct effects on cargo transport, urban mobility, and the daily routine of thousands of workers who depend on the route daily.
The construction of the Santos-Guarujá Tunnel is expected to establish the first fixed connection between the two banks of the port channel, thereby consistently altering the routine of residents, workers, tourists, and transporters who daily depend on the crossing in Baixada Santista.
With an estimated investment of R$ 6.8 billion, the structure will be 1.5 kilometers long, including 870 immersed meters, and was designed to reduce travel times, improve access to the Port of Santos, and significantly decrease the current reliance on ferries.
Awarded in September 2025 to Mota-Engil, the concession was structured as a Public-Private Partnership with a 30-year term, foreseeing contributions from the Federal Government and the State of São Paulo, in addition to direct private sector participation in the project.
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Currently marked by extensive queues, ferry waits, and road detours that can reach 45 kilometers, the crossing is expected to be reduced to just a few minutes, including infrastructure for vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and future VLT operation.
Logistics of the Port of Santos expected to gain efficiency
Separated by approximately 400 meters of channel, Santos and Guarujá remain connected by a limited system, still dependent on ferries and longer road routes, which directly impacts urban and logistical flow.
At the same time, the change affects the dynamics of the Port of Santos, which closed 2025 with 186.4 million tons moved, in addition to over 5.9 million TEUs, consolidating a new operational record at the country’s largest port complex.
Responsible for a significant portion of Brazil’s trade flow, the port handles strategic cargo such as sugar, soybeans, corn, wheat, fuels, fertilizers, vehicles, and containers, maintaining connections with hundreds of international destinations.
In this context, delays in accessing the port banks impact logistical costs, delivery times, and operational predictability, especially for truck drivers who daily circulate between terminals, warehouses, and retro-port areas.
Routine of truck drivers and residents affected by queues
Among the professionals facing this scenario, truck driver Valter Baleco reports recurring losses caused by the unpredictability of the route between the two cities, affecting personal and professional commitments over the years.
“I tried to go to college, but many times I missed class because I didn’t arrive on time. I’ve been stuck for three hours or more on this stretch,” said Valter.
Similar situations are experienced by cargo drivers, residents who work in neighboring cities, cyclists, pedestrians, and tourists who use the crossing as part of their routine or to access the São Paulo coast.
For those who depend on daily income generated by trips, the reduction in idle time tends to bring more predictability to work, in addition to reducing physical wear and tear and increasing the possibility of better utilization of the workday.
In the assessment of truck driver Carlos Eduardo Ramon, the new connection could allow for an increase in the number of trips made throughout the day, directly reflecting on the productivity and earnings of these professionals.
According to him, less waiting time during transit creates more favorable conditions for organizing routines and improving earnings in cargo transport between the two banks of the channel.
Tunnel structure includes lanes, bike path, and VLT
Foreseeing three lanes per direction, the project includes a dedicated passage for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as a technical gallery and space reserved for the Light Rail Vehicle (VLT), which could integrate into the regional mobility system in the future.
Considering the intense naval traffic in the channel, the adopted solution was an immersed tunnel, built with pre-cast concrete modules positioned on the seabed, a technology already used in large-scale international projects.
In addition to the physical structure, the system will feature real-time monitoring, intelligent traffic control, and operational safety devices, essential to ensure continuous operation in one of Brazil’s busiest port areas.
According to the official schedule, the initial stages involve design and site preparation, while the completion of civil works and operational tests is planned for 2030, with commercial operation estimated to begin in 2031.
Historic project moves forward after decades of discussion
Debated for over a century, the fixed link between Santos and Guarujá returns to the center of the infrastructure agenda, bringing together urban, logistical, environmental, and economic impacts in a single structuring intervention.
By reducing crossing time, relieving pressure on the ferry system, and shortening road travel, the project creates a permanent alternative for a route marked by constant traffic and operational variations.
In addition to cargo transport, residents of Baixada Santista who cross the channel daily to work, study, or access services tend to be directly benefited with greater predictability and time savings.
For Valter, the project’s scope goes beyond immediate mobility and impacts the daily lives of those who depend on this frequent commute between the two cities.
“It will change the lives of tourists and us truckers, mainly because we will have another alternative,” he summarized.
In the perception of drivers, reduced waiting times can make routines less unstable, especially for those who spend a large part of the day circulating between port accesses and frequently congested roads.
Ramon also highlights that fewer delays tend to reduce the emotional strain faced by professionals who balance long working hours with the distance from family life.
According to him, many truckers miss important family moments due to time lost on the journey, a reality that can be partially alleviated with the new link.
Within this context, the Santos-Guarujá Tunnel is consolidated as a mobility and logistics project with the potential to reorganize regional flows and strengthen the integration of the Port of Santos with its economic area of influence.
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