Brazil launches construction of 12.4‑km Salvador‑Itaparica megabridge

President Luiz Inácio Lula officially opened construction of the Salvador‑Itaparica bridge on 1 July 2024. The 12.4‑km structure, the longest maritime bridge in South America, will link Salvador with the Baixo Sul region across the Bay of All Saints, cutting travel time by about two hours for an estimated 28 000 daily vehicles.

The project is a public‑private partnership between the Bahia state government and a Chinese consortium that includes China Communications Construction Company and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. Total cost is roughly €1.98 billion (R$ 11.6 billion), funded by the federal government, the Bahia state government and the concessionaire. A 35‑year concession will allow toll collection for operation and maintenance. Construction is slated for five years, with completion expected in June 2031. The bridge will generate around 7 000 jobs and is projected to benefit up to 10 million people in about 250 municipalities, with an estimated economic impact of 40 billion reais.

Engineering challenges include foundations up to 120 m deep in heterogeneous seabed conditions, with central spans rising 85 m above sea level and a 692‑m main channel. A temporary 10‑km platform is being installed to support work over the water, and a large on‑site precast facility has been set up to produce bridge components.