Alesp reviews bill authorizing Public-Private Partnership for Santos-Guarujá Tunnel

The connection includes infrastructure works for access in the neighborhoods of Outeirinhos and Macuco in Santos, and in Vicente de Carvalho in Guarujá (Vanessa Rodrigues/Archive AT)

The bill authorizing the State Government to establish a public-private partnership (PPP), through a sponsored concession, for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the immersed tunnel between Santos and Guarujá is currently being processed at the São Paulo State Assembly (Alesp). The model needs to be approved by state legislators, but no date has been set for the vote.

Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos) submitted the bill last Thursday. The dry connection will be made in conjunction with the Federal Government, with investments estimated at approximately R\$ 6 billion. The notice is expected to be released in March 2025, with the bidding process occurring in July of the following year.

In the proposal sent to Alesp, the State Government outlines that the "interconnection system" includes, in addition to the dry connection through "a tunnel installed beneath the sea," infrastructure works for access in the neighborhoods of Outeirinhos and Macuco in Santos, and in the Vicente de Carvalho district in Guarujá.

Currently, the journey between the two municipalities is made by road, ferries, and boats. The only available land access for trucks transporting cargo to terminals on both sides of the Port of Santos is the Cônego Domênico Rangoni Highway, which spans 43 kilometers. Passenger vehicles, motorcyclists, and cyclists can also cross via the Santos-Guarujá ferry, which takes around 18 minutes, depending on weather and sea conditions. Pedestrians, in addition to the ferries, have the options of boats and catraias for the route between Santos and Vicente de Carvalho.

In the project, the State mentions that an average of 78,000 people are transported daily between the two banks of the Santos estuary, noting that it is one of the busiest crossings in the world, "consolidating the Port of Santos channel as a major express avenue, with various agents operating under its waters, such as ferries, boats, speedboats, catraias, and the ships themselves."

With the tunnel operational, it is estimated that the crossing time between the two cities will be reduced to less than 5 minutes, free from weather conditions "such as fog, swells, or impacts from ships docking at the port complex, thus ensuring not only transportation fluidity but also user safety."

The investment in the tunnel will be equally divided between the Union and the State of São Paulo, with additional private investment. "In these terms, the amounts to be spent by the public administration exceed 70% of the future concessionaire's remuneration for the implementation and operation of the project. It should be noted that, after the construction of the interconnection system, the future concessionaire will be compensated both through public remuneration from the State Government of São Paulo and by charging user fees."

How it will be The project plans for an 870-meter-long tunnel installed beneath the sea. At a depth of 21 meters, it will be the first tunnel in Latin America built in this model. Currently, the crossing is made by ferry or approximately 40 km of highway. The structure will be composed of six pre-cast concrete modules that will be constructed in a dry dock. Subsequently, the modules will be submerged.