Skip to main content

Major Brazilian tunnel project proposed

A novel tunnel project has been proposed in Brazil. The local infrastructure group Contern has suggested building a tunnel underneath the Serra do Mar nature reserve along the coast of Sao Paulo. The new link would improve access to the southern coastal area of that state, including to Santos port and the industrial area known as Baixada Santista. The project would be carried out under the PPP model so as to provide the necessary funding. The tunnel would have to be 21-23km long and would feature twin tubes
September 10, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
A novel tunnel project has been proposed in Brazil. The local infrastructure group Contern has suggested building a tunnel underneath the Serra do Mar nature reserve along the coast of Sao Paulo. The new link would improve access to the southern coastal area of that state, including to Santos port and the industrial area known as Baixada Santista. The project would be carried out under the PPP model so as to provide the necessary funding. The tunnel would have to be 21-23km long and would feature twin tubes with diameters of 16m.

The tunnel proposal includes provision for both road and rail and has been called Via Mar. The concept has been modelled on the Channel tunnel linking France and the UK. The first phase of the Brazilian project is expected to be worth from US$1.82-2.08 billion. The new project would improve logistics access to Brazil's largest port, Santos. Currently, the latter's main access road is the Anchieta highway, which was constructed in 1943. The new link would start at Suzano, on the Rodoanel Leste ringway.

Related Content

  • Causeway and immersed road for LagoonHull
    December 1, 2021
    The agency proposing the UK’s LagoonHull project says it’s development and construction costs could be between €1.2-2.4 billion.
  • New bridge planned for Kenya’s port of Mombasa
    December 14, 2017
    Planning is being carried out for the new Mombasa Gate Bridge project, which is expected to cost close to US$778 million. The bridge will connect Mombasa Island with the South Coast, replacing a ferry operation, which first began operation in 1937. The feasibility study for the 1.4km bridge is now complete and construction of the link is expected to take 36 months to complete.
  • Brazilian road works planned
    April 19, 2022
    Brazilian road works are being planned.
  • UK creates Major Road Network designation for A-class highways
    July 10, 2017
    The UK government plans to create of a Major Road Network class of highway which would tap into the multi-million euro annual National Road Fund. Main roads that are now overseen by local authorities would share the National Roads Fund that is financed by the VED – vehicle excise duty - which was previously envisaged to be ring-fenced for national routes. The VED was around €6.6 billion for 2016-17. Roads covered by the strategy are the A-class highways. The deal is part of an investment strategy unveiled b