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The crossing that today depends on a ferry and the mood of the weather may gain a fixed connection, dreamed of by the population for decades. Before becoming a reality, however, the project still needs to complete studies that will determine if the work is feasible and, most importantly, find who will foot the bill, hence the trip to the United States.
With about 1.2 km in length over the Babitonga Bay and a feasibility study of R$ 4.3 million already underway, the Vigorelli Bridge, which would connect Joinville to São Francisco do Sul, will be presented to international investors between June 9 and 14. A delegation from the northeastern region of Santa Catarina will fulfill an agenda in New York and Washington, in the United States, in search of resources to make the much-anticipated work feasible.
The information was released on May 31, 2026, by the ND Mais portal. The project presentation will be made by a delegation from Amunesc, the Association of Municipalities of Northeast Santa Catarina, led by the mayor of Itapoá and president of the entity, Jeferson Rubens Garcia. It is important to clarify, however, that this is a project still in the phase of technical, economic, and environmental feasibility studies, and not a confirmed work: its realization will depend both on the favorable conclusion of these studies and on obtaining the necessary resources.
What is the Vigorelli Bridge
The Vigorelli Bridge would connect the Vigorelli neighborhood in Joinville to Vila da Glória on the continental portion of São Francisco do Sul, replacing the crossing currently done by ferry over the Babitonga Bay, a long-standing demand of the local population.
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Currently, those who need to cross the bay depend on the ferry service, operated by a concessionaire, which charges about R$ 25 per segment and is subject to queues and weather and operational conditions. With the bridge, the expectation is to make the journey faster, safer, and more predictable, significantly improving mobility and integration between the municipalities in the region, in one of the most strategic points in the North of Santa Catarina.
The feasibility study of R$ 4.3 million
Before any brick, it is necessary to know if the construction makes technical and financial sense. The Technical, Economic, and Environmental Feasibility Study, the EVTEA, costs about R$ 4.3 million and is being conducted by the Infras-Caruso Consortium, winner of the bidding, with a deadline of 18 months and completion expected for the second half of 2026. The work evaluates possible routes, traffic, geology, environmental issues, and the most suitable bridge model.
The cost of the study is being shared among the four municipalities directly benefited, in the following proportion: Joinville covers 40%, São Francisco do Sul 30%, Itapoá 20%, and Garuva 10%. At the beginning of 2026, the study entered the phase of defining routes, with the presentation of different route options for the connection over the bay, a decisive stage to understand where the future bridge would pass.
The mission in search of investors
The step taken now aims precisely at the greatest challenge of any work of this magnitude: the money. Between June 9 and 14, the Amunesc delegation will present the bridge project to international investors in New York and Washington, with the expectation of attracting the necessary resources to bring the work to fruition if the studies confirm its feasibility.
The mission to the United States is not limited to the bridge. The delegation will also seek resources for Inovamunesc, a project still under development that brings together initiatives for monitoring climate events, strengthening regional tourism, and integrating passenger transport between the municipalities of Northeast Santa Catarina. Inovamunesc already has a contribution of R$ 10 million from the State Government but is still looking for new investments to come to fruition.
Why the project is strategic for the region
More than shortening a crossing, the bridge would have significant economic effects. The connection is considered strategic for the logistical integration of Northern Santa Catarina, potentially benefiting access to the ports of São Francisco do Sul and Itapoá, the industrial axis of Joinville, and the daily commute of workers, as well as strengthening freight transport in one of the most industrialized regions of the state.
There is also the tourism potential. Babitonga Bay is a natural postcard of the region, and a new connection could create a circulation axis that would enhance local beauty, stimulating ecotourism and nautical tourism. São Francisco do Sul, it is worth remembering, is one of the oldest cities in Brazil, with colonization dating back to the 16th century, which reinforces the historical and tourist appeal of the entire bay region.
The challenges and comparisons
Despite the enthusiasm, it is prudent to keep one’s feet on the ground regarding deadlines and costs. Bridge works over the sea are expensive and complex: for comparison, the Guaratuba Bridge, on the coast of Paraná, has a similar extension, about 1,244 meters, and had an initial estimated cost of around R$ 387 million, which gives an idea of the investment that a structure like the Vigorelli might require.
Therefore, even with the study advancing and the search for investors underway, there is still a long way to go before construction. After the EVTEA is completed, the next steps would be contracting the executive project and concretely defining the source of funds. In other words, the trip to the United States is an important step, but the bridge will only move from intentions to reality when there is guaranteed funding and proven feasibility.
The Vigorelli Bridge represents an old dream for those living between Joinville and São Francisco do Sul, and the mission to the United States shows that the project is gaining traction in the search for investors. Even so, it is necessary to follow with expectation and realism: the work depends on the favorable conclusion of feasibility studies and, above all, on the raising of funds. If everything progresses, the region could replace the dependence on ferries with a fixed connection capable of transforming mobility, logistics, and tourism in Northern Santa Catarina in the coming years.
And you, who know or live in the region, do you believe that the Vigorelli Bridge will really come off the drawing board? Do you think it would make a difference in mobility between Joinville and São Francisco do Sul? Leave your comment, tell us how the ferry crossing is today, and share the article with those who are also waiting for this work in Northern Santa Catarina.
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