Construction of new access to the Port of Santos authorized by the São Paulo State Government

Improvements to access and new entry and exit options for trucks have been long-time goals for those working in the Alemoa neighborhood in Santos (Vanessa Rodrigues/AT)

The São Paulo State Government has authorized Ecovias, the concessionaire of the Anchieta-Imigrantes System (SAI), to develop the basic and detailed engineering plans for a new access to Alemoa, the industrial region of Santos. The project includes constructing an access ramp and an exit viaduct to Via Anchieta, aimed at improving the truck flow transporting cargo to terminals located on the Right Bank of the Port of Santos.

The State Secretariat for Partnerships and Investments (SPI) stated that the authorization letter was sent to the São Paulo State Transport Agency (Artesp). Artesp will forward the document to Ecovias to establish a timeline that includes “the necessary studies and projects for implementing the roadway system improvements.”

The agency further clarified that “upon completion of the schedule, along with the estimated budget for implementing the interventions, it will assess, together with the SPI, the inclusion of these works in the concession contract.” The study and project completion period is set for 12 months, with a possible extension of an additional six months.

“The project will undergo feasibility studies conducted by the concessionaire, with the final route to be defined later. The concessionaire will be responsible for the construction, with cost and payment terms to be discussed after the feasibility studies”, explained the secretariat.

Contacted for comment, Ecovias informed A Tribuna that it would initiate the projects as soon as the official authorization from Artesp is received.

Housing These works were initially planned under the concession contract for the Internal Railroad of the Port of Santos (Fips) and will now be undertaken by the state. In return, APS will transfer R\$ 250 million to the São Paulo State Government for housing projects. The allocation of funds for families and cities “will still be defined,” according to SPI.

“With the credit we have with Fips, we can secure funds for the new Right Bank accesses, which are crucial for both STS10 and the expansion of the liquid and fuel bulk sector through the STS08 terminal, which we will auction after the consultation and public hearing. These accesses will also be essential for ensuring smooth traffic flow at the entrance to Santos”, stated Anderson Pomini, President of the Santos Port Authority.

Functional project In 2021, the Brazilian Association of Port Terminals and Container Transport Companies (ABTTC) and the Association of Companies of the Alemoa Industrial and Port District (AMA) donated a functional project to the City of Santos, proposing the construction of an exit viaduct from Alemoa to Via Anchieta, originating from Doutor Alberto Schweitzer Avenue, with two lanes, one in the São Paulo direction and one toward Santos.

João Ataliba de Arruda Botelho Neto, President of ABTTC, stated that “the preliminary project cost around R\$ 300.000. The City promised us at the time to submit the project to Artesp, but we never received confirmation that the project was accepted. I hope the construction proceeds, as it will be a relief for all business owners and employees working in Alemoa.”

“We are very pleased that there has finally been a clear and, I believe, definitive understanding regarding the Right Bank of the Port and the City. There was a lot of effort and discussion about something obvious to all who are involved in day-to-day port logistics”, declared João Menano, President of AMA.

He offered support from associated companies to ensure the progress of the works. “Economic development and safety for everyone will benefit greatly. ”

The City of Santos indicated that the preliminary project prepared by ABTTC is still under review by Artesp and Ecovias. It also emphasized that it views the project mentioned in the report as “crucial to alleviating traffic in the urban access area and to enhancing port activities through a second viaduct. The Administration awaits the final investment amount for the City to align with housing demands. ”

Another project Ecovias also reported that it is developing the detailed project for another Alemoa access, authorized in January, which involves road adjustments and constructing a viaduct at km 61 of Via Anchieta, providing a new access option from the neighborhood to the highway. The project is expected to be submitted to Artesp in January 2025.

“The granting authority will decide on the execution and inclusion of the project in the Ecovias concession contract. The costs will be determined after project completion”, explained the concessionaire.