The Government of São Paulo, through the Secretariat for Partnerships and Investments (SPI), announced that the ratification and adjudication of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the Santos–Guarujá Immersed Tunnel were published this Friday (7) in the State Official Gazette, confirming the Portuguese company Mota-Engil Latam Portugal S.A. as the definitive winner. The decision concludes the bidding process and summons the concessionaire to fulfill the pre-contractual steps leading up to the contract signing, scheduled for the coming weeks.
Cetesb has already issued the preliminary environmental license, confirming the project’s feasibility and authorizing the advancement of subsequent phases, ensuring legal certainty and predictability in the schedule. The assessment considered factors such as impacts on mangroves, fauna, flora, noise, and expropriations, setting conditions to be met in the installation licensing phase.
“The Santos–Guarujá Tunnel is a landmark project for the Baixada Santista region and the State of São Paulo. The ratification and adjudication represent another major step forward, reinforcing the government’s commitment to works that drive development, mobility, and quality of life for the population,” said Rafael Benini, Secretary for Partnerships and Investments.
With a total estimated investment of R$ 6.8 billion, including R$ 5.1 billion in public contributions divided between the State and Federal Governments, the project foresees the construction of an 870-meter tunnel beneath the port channel, with three lanes in each direction, as well as pedestrian and bicycle crossings and a service gallery. The 30-year contract also includes operation and maintenance phases.
Mota-Engil won the auction held at B3 in September with a 0.5% discount on the maximum annual public payment of R$ 438.3 million. With ratification and adjudication completed, the project now enters the preparatory phase for contract signing, which will formalize the partnership between the Government of São Paulo, the Federal Government, and the concessionaire. The public contributions—R$ 2.7 billion from the State and R$ 2.7 billion from the Federal Government—will be made according to the contractual schedule.
Next, the project will move forward with defining the area where the concrete module assembly dock will be built. Module production is expected to begin in 2027, with the immersed structure assembled by 2030. The full delivery and start of operations are scheduled for 2031.
Generating approximately 9,000 direct and indirect jobs, the tunnel will be the first fixed connection between Santos and Guarujá, reducing travel time to as little as five minutes and benefiting more than two million people, with a direct impact on mobility, port logistics, and urban development throughout the Baixada Santista region.