The Government of São Paulo published, on Friday (21), in the Official State Gazette, the decree authorizing the opening of the bidding process for the sponsored concession of the Santos–Guarujá Tunnel. The publication formalizes the procurement process, with the public notice scheduled to be released on February 27, while the auction is set for August 1. With an estimated investment of R$ 6 billion, this historic project is a partnership between the State Government and the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), and is part of the São Paulo State Partnership Program (PPI-SP).
The tunnel will be the first submerged in Brazil, with a total length of 1.5 km, including 870 meters of immersed structure. It will feature three traffic lanes in each direction, including one dedicated lane for light rail (VLT), as well as separate access for pedestrians and cyclists.
The concession term will be 30 years, including the construction, operation, and maintenance of the system. The concessionaire will be compensated through toll revenue, public payments, public capital contributions, and ancillary revenues. The selection criterion for the bidding process will be the highest discount on the maximum public payment, ensuring greater efficiency and benefit to the population.
The Santos–Guarujá Tunnel is the result of a joint effort between the Government of São Paulo, the Ministry of Ports and Airports, the São Paulo State Transport Regulatory Agency (Artesp), the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), and the Santos Port Authority (APS). The project represents a milestone in national infrastructure and a significant advancement in urban mobility and logistics for the Baixada Santista.