Brazil to build submerged tunnel connecting Santos and Guarujá

Brazil is advancing a major infrastructure project to construct its first immersed tunnel, connecting the cities of Santos and Guarujá. The 1.5-kilometer tunnel will pass beneath the channel of the Port of Santos, the largest container port in Latin America.

The project aims to drastically reduce travel times between the two cities. Currently, commuters rely on ferries or long road detours, with trips often taking between 50 minutes and over an hour. Once completed, the crossing is expected to take less than five minutes.

The construction will utilize an immersed tunnel technique, where large prefabricated concrete modules are built in a dry dock, towed to the site, and sunk into a pre-dredged trench on the estuary floor. The infrastructure will include three lanes per direction, dedicated spaces for public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists, ensuring that vehicular traffic does not interfere with maritime navigation.

The project involves an estimated investment of 6.8 billion reais and is scheduled to enter operation by 2031.