Santos-Guarujá Tunnel: Commission to Oversee Expropriations Formed

A new commission will be established to monitor expropriations related to the construction of the Santos-Guarujá immersed tunnel in São Paulo's coastal region. This decision emerged from a meeting on Tuesday, March 21st, involving the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP), local residents from the Macuco neighborhood, and public agencies. The commission's primary role will be to maintain communication with families whose homes will be displaced by the tunnel's route, ensuring they are informed about each project phase. This initiative is part of a civil inquiry launched in 2024 to assess the socio-environmental and urban impacts of the tunnel, a long-standing demand for the Baixada Santista region.

The 1.5 km tunnel, featuring approximately 870 meters underwater, will be the first of its kind in Brazil, connecting Santos and Guarujá. Portuguese company Mota-Engil, which won the concession auction last year, is slated to begin construction in 2027. Residents of Macuco proposed route modifications to avoid displacement, but the concessionaire deemed these changes unfeasible. Consequently, community concerns have shifted to the valuation of compensation for expropriated properties, with fears of gentrification and below-market payouts being voiced by community representatives.

While the concessionaire, TSG Concessionária, was not present at the initial meeting, stating they were not invited, a follow-up meeting is expected within seven days. The process for determining compensation criteria is scheduled for completion by October, followed by a 60-day review by the São Paulo State Transport Regulatory Agency (Artesp). The project timeline outlines functional and executive design development, expropriation negotiations, and environmental licensing in 2026, with construction commencing in 2027 and completion anticipated by 2030.