Dialogue and integration: paths to combine progress and urban mobility

Fabrício Lopes, Denis Gerage, Fábio Ferraz, Solange Freitas, Antônio Carlos Silva Gonçalves, João Menano, and Thaís Margarido took part in the day’s first panel at the Santos City Council (Alexsander Ferraz/AT)

Urban mobility is becoming increasingly important in everyday life. For those navigating the port ecosystem, the challenge seems even more complex. While there is consensus on the need to resolve access issues, how to do so demands, above all, integration and dialogue. This was the core message of the opening panel of the 1st Encontro Porto & Mar of the year, held this Monday (14) by Grupo Tribuna.

The search for solutions must be ongoing and, preferably, aligned with a constantly growing port, while also taking advantage of a favorable wave of investments. “Major interventions are coming. We need to believe in these initiatives”, said the Secretary of Government of Santos, Fábio Ferraz. “We should focus on access to Alemoa and Avenida Perimetral. These are the priorities from a city-planning perspective.”

The secretary emphasized the importance of the future megaterminal Tecon Santos 10 and pointed out issues to be considered regarding the impact of the project. “Without these interventions, we will face problems. I want to rally the entire sector to speak with one voice so that these two access points are implemented in the short term. Tecon will happen.”

João Menano, President of the Associação das Empresas do Distrito Industrial e Portuário da Alemoa (AMA), echoed this sentiment. “We expect confirmation of the works underway around the existing Alemoa overpass, where the traffic flow will be altered — something that will improve drainage and paving, with the potential gain of an extra lane; confirmation of the new access overpass between Via Anchieta and Saboó; and confirmation of the construction of the new rear overpass in Alemoa.”

Antônio Carlos Silva Gonçalves, President of the Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego de Santos, emphasized another issue that needs to be addressed concerning access: truck parking. “We must focus on neighborhoods in the retroport area, because trucks have nowhere to park and end up in São Manoel, Piratininga, Bom Retiro, and Chico de Paula — coexisting with residential areas.”

Planning Denis Gerage, Deputy State Secretary for Logistics and Transportation, noted that the State Government is working on a logistics and investment plan through 2050, including a diagnostic to identify bottlenecks. Santos is among the cities already being analyzed.

“We are facing major challenges. We ran simulations of several scenarios to identify medium - and long-term solutions. We’ll be holding regional meetings, and Santos will be one of the key locations”, he explained.

Participation and group initiative Thaís Margarido, Secretary of Economic and Port Development of Guarujá, said that the city is seeking alignment with port expansion. “This is a unique moment. The retroport area is a reality in Guarujá. Today we’re not only discussing the implementation of the retroport district, but also the model to apply for development.”

Fabrício Lopes, Secretary of Industry, Ports, Employment, and Entrepreneurship of Cubatão, added that economic development cannot overlook the social aspect. “We can’t just drive past Via Anchieta and remain passive. Wealth must serve the people.”

Finally, State Deputy Solange Freitas (União) reinforced the importance of dialogue across sectors of society. “A working group could include representatives from Alesp, the municipalities, and most importantly, civil society.”

Farid Madi: “We are living in a strategic moment" (Alexsander Ferraz/AT)

Solutions The Mayor of Guarujá, Farid Madi (Pode), recalled that, as early as 2004 — the year he was first elected to lead the Executive — he took part in the first discussions about retroport areas, and that now is the time for mutual understanding in the search for mobility solutions.

“We are living in a strategic moment, with the immersed tunnel, the third lane of the Imigrantes highway, and the Metropolitan Civil Airport… We must move forward, have discussions to reach a mutual understanding, and minimize the impacts of infrastructure works on our cities.”