The Government of the State of São Paulo is moving forward with one of the most important infrastructure projects in Brazil: the Santos–Guarujá Immersed Tunnel. The auction is scheduled for this Friday (5), at 4 p.m., at the São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3).
With an estimated investment of R$ 6.8 billion, the project includes public funding of up to R$ 5.1 billion, split equally between the State and Federal Governments. The contract also establishes a monthly payment of R$ 438.3 million, covered exclusively by the State of São Paulo over 24 years of the concession. The final value of this payment will be defined at the auction, awarded to the bidder offering the highest discount compared to the reference value. The 30-year contract covers construction, operation, and maintenance of the project.
The first immersed tunnel of its kind in Brazil, the project will bring to the country a technology already consolidated in major international works in Europe and Asia. “The Santos–Guarujá Tunnel will be a historic milestone for the Baixada Santista. A dry, modern, and efficient crossing that will significantly reduce travel time, ease traffic, integrate transport modes, and boost the logistics of the Port of Santos. It is a strategic R$ 6.8 billion project that will create jobs, attract investments, and transform mobility and the region’s economy,” said Rafael Benini, São Paulo’s Secretary for Investment Partnerships.
Unlike deep-bored tunnels, such as those built for subways, this project will consist of prefabricated concrete modules. Built in a dry dock, they will be floated to the site, submerged, and then connected on the seabed of the port channel with millimetric precision and reinforced ballast layers.