With a gentle slope and curves with greater radius, the new track will increase the capacity of the Anchieta-Imigrantes system by around 145%
The construction project for the 3rd Imigrantes lane, announced by the Government of São Paulo on January 10, will allow truck traffic in the coastal direction, currently restricted to Via Anchieta. The geometric characteristics of the future new structure, which connects Planalto to Baixada Santista, will be different from those of the Anchieta South runway, with gentler ramps and slopes – on average, 4% – and greater horizontal curvature radii.
In practice, these characteristics favor the circulation of heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses. There will be two lanes and a shoulder that can be converted into a traffic lane.
“The big difference with this track is its geometry, which will allow trucks to descend. This will help a lot when going up and down to the coast and also in the maintenance work on the Anchieta-Imigrantes System roads”says the Secretary of Investment Partnerships, Rafael Benini.
The Anchieta-Imigrantes System is one of the main routes to strategic points in the State, such as the Port of Santos. The Imigrantes third runway project provides for quick access to the port’s Right and Left Banks.
With the addition of the new lane, the system’s capacity will be increased by around 145% for the descent of heavy vehicles, according to the São Paulo State Transport Agency (Artesp). The mountain section will be 21.5 km long, consisting of 17 km of tunnels and 4 km of viaducts. One of the tunnels will be around 6 km long, making it the largest structure of its type in Brazil.
Tunnels on 80% of the route
The new route will be made up of 80% of tunnel segments, which will result in less environmental impact when implementing the work. Furthermore, the studies seek to maximize the use of existing service paths in order to minimize the suppression of vegetation areas. For each new tunnel on the third track, depending on its length, there will be a parallel tunnel, called an emergency tunnel, designed to meet the most modern fire-fighting standards.
The new structure of the third lane of Imigrantes will begin at km 43 of Rodovia dos Imigrantes (SP-160), which will allow access via Rodoanel Mário Covas (SP-021). In Baixada, the connection will be at kilometer 265 of the Cônego Domênio Rangoni Highway (SP-055), close to the Cubatão Industrial Complex.
In the assessment of the São Paulo administration, the project will meet the existing traffic demand, with an increase in total capacity estimated at 25%, and prepares the road for future needs for increased flow.
“With the new 3rd runway at Imigrantes, we are taking a strategic step towards the logistical development of São Paulo and Brazil. This project, which includes the largest tunnel in the country, not only increases the system’s total capacity by 25%, but also more than doubles truck access to the Port of Santos. In addition to strengthening tourism, the work will be essential to keep up with the expected growth of Brazil’s largest port, ensuring more fluidity and efficiency for cargo transport and more comfort for drivers using the system”says governor Tarcísio de Freitas.
The concessionaire is currently working on preparing the functional project for the work on the third Imigrantes runway. Subsequently, the basic and executive projects will be produced, which will provide guidelines for carrying out the expansion, such as precise characteristics and indication of construction techniques for the structures, deadline for carrying out the works and the total cost of the project.
In parallel, all necessary steps for the environmental licensing process are being completed. This stage is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.
With information from .
