The Government of the State of São Paulo republished on Monday (9), in the State Official Gazette, the bidding notice for the Santos–Guarujá Immersed Tunnel. Structured by the Secretariat for Investment Partnerships (SPI), the project is a partnership with the Ministry of Ports and Airports and marks a milestone in Brazilian engineering. The auction will take place on September 5, 2025, at the B3 headquarters in São Paulo.
The new version of the public notice includes technical and operational adjustments to the concession model, aiming to increase attractiveness to the private sector, ensure legal certainty, and enhance contract execution efficiency. With a total length of 1.5 km — 870 meters of which run beneath the estuary channel — the tunnel will be the first of its kind in Brazil, using the internationally recognized immersed tunnel technique. The infrastructure will have three lanes in each direction, including one exclusive lane for Light Rail Transit (LRT), as well as a gallery for pedestrians and cyclists. The 30-year concession will cover the construction, operation, and maintenance stages, with an estimated investment of R$ 6.8 billion.
“The Santos–Guarujá tunnel symbolizes the kind of project we want to deliver: transformational, innovative, built through partnerships between public entities, and one that tangibly improves people’s lives. We are responsibly moving forward with a long-awaited project, with technical rigor and a strong commitment to the population,” said Governor Tarcísio de Freitas.
Enhanced model
The improvements to the public notice result directly from the contributions gathered during the international roadshow held by the Government of São Paulo in Europe, which brought together global infrastructure operators. Adjustments include updating the contractual base date to January 2025, revising major cost items — such as concrete, dredging, and diaphragm walls — and reevaluating the average transportation distance, now considered to be 85 km. Traffic projections have also been updated based on the modeling of the Waterway Crossings project.
The model now allows for live bidding on both the public compensation and the public contribution, encouraging greater competition and better offers for the government. Submission of envelopes is scheduled for September 1 at 10 a.m., and the proposals will be opened on September 5 at 4 p.m.
The draft contract has been refined with provisions that reinforce the financial balance and legal security of the concession. It also includes safeguards for the concessionaire, with mechanisms to ensure predictability and contractual protection.
Other changes include the creation of an Expropriation Account, adjustments to risk allocation criteria — especially regarding geological conditions and potential interferences — and the definition of interim solutions for the Cais Outeirinhos and the Guarujá rail yard to ensure continued port and logistics operations during construction.
High demand
Currently, the connection between Santos and Guarujá is made by ferries and small passenger boats, which transport over 21,000 vehicles, 7,700 cyclists, and 7,600 pedestrians per day. The new tunnel aims to improve mobility, offering more comfort, speed, and safety for the population. The project is expected to generate around 9,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Resulting from a partnership between the State Government, the Ministry of Ports and Airports, the São Paulo State Transport Agency (ARTESP), the National Waterway Transport Agency (ANTAQ), and the Santos Port Authority, the project is qualified under the São Paulo State Investment Partnership Program (PPI-SP) and is part of the Federal Government’s new PAC program.