The Government of São Paulo and the Brazilian Federal Government announced the launch of the immersed tunnel project Santos-Guarujá, which will be delivered through a public-private partnership (PPP) with an expected investment of R$ 5.9 billion (USD 1.2 billion).
The announcement was made by Governor Tarcísio de Freitas and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the celebration of the 132nd anniversary of the Port of Santos.
Qualified in the Investment Partnership Program of the State of São Paulo (PPI-SP) and integrated into the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), the project foresees a public contribution of R$ 5.1 billion in investment, equally divided between the Government of São Paulo and the Union, in addition to the participation of the private sector.
Santos-Guarujá Immersed Tunnel PPP – Project Details
The Government of São Paulo developed the project and envisioned a dry connection between Santos and Guarujá, with a total length of 1.5 km, through an immersed tunnel of 870 meters beneath the port channel. The section will connect the areas of Outeirinhos and Macuco in Santos to the Vicente de Carvalho neighbourhood in Guarujá.
The project includes a cycle path, pedestrian walkway, and three lanes in each direction, with one lane adaptable to the Light Rail Vehicle (VLT). The tunnel will consist of six pre-modulated concrete modules, which will be constructed in a dry dock and transported by flotation to the location where the canal bed will be prepared. The modules will then be immersed, fitted, and secured to complete the structure.
The video below shows the project design and arrangement in 2014, which now has been updated to accommodate changes to project.
Santos-Guarujá Immersed Tunnel – Local Benefits
The project will significantly impact the municipalities’ road systems, especially during peak seasons. The tunnel will:
- reduce the travel time between the two cities by approximately 50 minutes,
- alleviate congestion on the Cônego Domênico Rangoni Highway (SP-055), and
- free up the port channel for priority use by cargo and passenger ships.
Daily, the tunnel will benefit around 28,000 ferry system users – the estimate is a 70% reduction in demand for the Ponta da Praia ferry. It will also ensure faster truck access to the two port terminals, reducing vehicular carbon dioxide emissions by 53%.
Related Project and News – Tunnels Around the World
Santos-Guarujá Immersed Tunnel PPP – Project Next Steps
The São Paulo State Government confirmed it initiated the process for issuing a new “preceding license” before the auction, scheduled for the second semester of this year. The public consultation is expected to be launched in March.
The “Preceding License” in Brazil refers to prior approval from authorities for a project auction, assessing technical, environmental, legal, and financial aspects. In Brazil, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are procured via an auction, which takes place following the approval of this license. For more details on what is a public private partnership, we suggest reading the following article:
Suggested Reading: Public Private Partnerships (PPPs): What are they? How they Work?
