Auction for Latin America’s Largest Immersed Tunnel Set for August 1; Project Valued at R$ 6 Billion

The Brazilian federal government, through the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), and the São Paulo state government officially signed an agreement on February 12 to move forward with the construction of the Santos-Guarujá immersed tunnel. With this milestone, the project’s bidding documents will be posted on February 27, and the auction is set for August 1.

With a R$ 6 billion investment, the largest infrastructure project under the new Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) will be Brazil’s first submerged tunnel and the largest of its kind in Latin America. The new land-to-land link will improve safety and efficiency for commuters traveling between Santos and Guarujá while also enhancing cargo logistics at the Port of Santos. The project is also part of São Paulo’s Investment Partnerships Program (PPI-SP).

“We’re delivering a project that has been nearly a century in the making. Beyond significantly improving urban mobility and quality of life for those in the Santos metropolitan region, the tunnel will streamline cargo shipments from the Port of Santos by helping separate port-related traffic from city streets. It will also strengthen port infrastructure and further drive job creation and economic growth. This is the most significant infrastructure project in our history,” said Minister of Ports and Airports Silvio Costa Filho.

Developed by the São Paulo state government, the tunnel addresses a longstanding demand for the Santos locals. Currently, more than 21,000 vehicles cross between Santos and Guarujá daily via ferries and small passenger boats, along with 7,700 cyclists and 7,600 pedestrians. The new tunnel will reduce travel time to just a few minutes, easing ferry congestion and improving logistics flows at the Port of Santos.

“This is a long-awaited project for the people of the region. The immersed tunnel will relieve ferry bottlenecks, enhance urban mobility, and improve logistics efficiency at the Port of Santos, strengthening the region’s economy,” said São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas.

The tunnel will span 1.5 km, with 870 meters running underwater. It will feature three lanes in each direction, including a dedicated lane for a Light Rail Transit (VLT) system. Pedestrians and cyclists will also have designated crossings.

The Santos-Guarujá Immersed Tunnel is a partnership between the São Paulo state government and the Ministry of Ports and Airports, with participation from the São Paulo State Transport Agency (Artesp), the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), and the Santos Port Authority (APS).

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