In the next few days, a rig that is being set up on the seashore in the municipality of Vera Cruz, on the island of Itaparica, will be used for geotechnical surveying for the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge.
According to the concessionaire responsible for the construction of the bridge, drilling equipment will be attached to this rig to drill two holes in an area close to the sea. According to the concessionaire’s schedule, this service will be part of the onshore phase of the project, since the water depth in the coastal area is shallow.
Deepwater drilling is scheduled to begin in March, using even larger rigs and barges.
Last Wednesday (21st), the onshore geotechnical survey began in Salvador, in an area near the ferry terminal. The survey is necessary to understand the characteristics of the terrain and to determine the foundation of the bridge structure. A drill is used to take soil samples from the area where the piers will be installed. These samples are then sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis of the collected material.
This Wednesday (21st), the concessionaire responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge Highway System began surveying the capital. In an area near the ferry terminal, holes were drilled to collect soil samples. A drill is used to take soil samples from the area where a bridge pier will later be installed. This phase is essential to understand the characteristics of the terrain and to define the foundation of the structure. These samples are then sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis of the collected material.
This is the second onshore drilling carried out. The first took place on January 31st in the municipality of Vera Cruz and has already been completed.
According to the work plan, once the onshore survey has been completed, the marine survey will begin. In this phase, which is expected to begin in March, rigs will be used in areas of the bay that are considered shallow waters, up to 10 meters deep. Soon after, the survey will begin in deep waters, with a depth of more than 10 meters, using barges equipped with drills to collect samples from the seafloor. The entire survey process is expected to be completed by December 2024. The construction sites will begin in early 2025.
“We are making progress with the surveying service on land, and very soon we will begin activities at sea. For this new stage in Baía de Todos-os-Santos, we will count on the help of Chinese equipment, such as the heave compensation system. The technological exchange between Brazil and China will be one of the legacies of this great investment we are making,” said the president of the concessionaire, Cláudio Villas Boas.
Economic and Social Development Project
The Salvador-Itaparica Bridge Highway System will be a new vector of income distribution and will boost the economy of the entire State of Bahia, generating seven thousand jobs. In about 250 municipalities, 10 million inhabitants will benefit from the project. This large investment will stimulate economic development by attracting new businesses in areas such as logistics, industry, commerce, services and real estate. The new system will also boost tourism in Bahia, as the distance between Salvador and important tourist areas of the state, such as the Sul and Baixo Sul (South and Deep South parts of the state), will be reduced by more than 100 km.
In addition to the 12.4-kilometer oversea bridge, the largest in Latin America, new access roads will be built in Salvador and Vera Cruz. In the capital, between the neighborhoods of Calçada and Água de Meninos, there will be a new 4 km-long structure made up of a series of overpasses and two new tunnels that will run parallel to those of the Via Expressa (expressway). In Vera Cruz, the flow of vehicles coming from the bridge will be redirected to a new 22 km expressway, which will be built in the Mar Grande region. This expressway will extend up to the vicinity of Cacha Pregos. Finally, an 8 km section of the BA-001 will be doubled from Cacha Pregos to the beginning of the Funil Bridge, marking the end of the concessionaire’s area of operation.
This new investment, amounting to approximately R$ 9 billion, stems from a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Government of Bahia and a Chinese consortium formed by two large groups, which are among the largest globally in the construction and infrastructure sector: China Railway 20th Bureau Group Corporation (CR20) and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). The contract, which was signed in November 2020, grants a 35-year concession for the construction, operation and maintenance of the facilities.
This Wednesday (31st), the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge Concessionaire began the surveying phase with an onshore drill in the municipality of Vera Cruz. This is a fundamental step in understanding the characteristics of the soil and defining the foundation of the bridge. During this phase, soil samples will be taken with the help of a drilling machine at the exact location where each of the piers will be located. These samples are then sent to the laboratory. There, a detailed analysis of the collected material is performed. The onshore drilling will consist of two drill holes in Vera Cruz and one in Salvador.
According to the work plan, once the onshore survey has been completed, the marine survey will begin. In this phase, which is expected to begin in March, rigs will be used in areas of the bay that are considered shallow waters, up to 10 meters deep. Soon after, the survey will begin in deep waters, with a depth of more than 10 meters, using barges equipped with drills to collect samples from the seafloor. The entire survey process is expected to be completed by December 2024. The construction sites will begin in early 2025.
“Today, we’ve taken a big and important step towards turning this new mobility solution that will expand Bahia’s future prospects. With the support and fundamental work of the State Government, we are moving forward in this project that will boost the economy and be a symbol of progress in the diplomatic relations between Bahia and Brazil with China,” commented the President of the Concessionaire, Cláudio Villas Boas.
Much more than just a bridge
The Salvador-Itaparica Bridge Highway System will be a new vector of income distribution and will boost the economy of the entire State of Bahia, generating seven thousand jobs. In about 250 municipalities, 10 million inhabitants will benefit from the project. This large investment will stimulate economic development by attracting new businesses in areas such as logistics, industry, commerce, services and real estate. The new system will also boost tourism in Bahia, as the distance between Salvador and important tourist areas of the state, such as the Sul and Baixo Sul (South and Deep South parts of the state), will be reduced by more than 100 km.
In addition to the 12.4-kilometer oversea bridge, the largest in Latin America, new access roads will be built in Salvador and Vera Cruz. In the capital, between the neighborhoods of Calçada and Água de Meninos, there will be a new 4 km-long structure made up of a series of overpasses and two new tunnels that will run parallel to those of the Via Expressa (expressway). In Vera Cruz, the flow of vehicles coming from the bridge will be redirected to a new 22 km expressway, which will be built in the Mar Grande region. This expressway will extend up to the vicinity of Cacha Pregos. Finally, an 8 km section of the BA-001 will be doubled from Cacha Pregos to the beginning of the Funil Bridge, marking the end of the concessionaire’s area of operation.
This new investment, amounting to approximately R$ 9 billion, stems from a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Government of Bahia and a Chinese consortium formed by two large groups, which are among the largest globally in the construction and infrastructure sector: China Railway 20th Bureau Group Corporation (CR20) and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). The contract, which was signed in November 2020, grants a 35-year concession for the construction, operation and maintenance of the facilities.
Salvador-Itaparica Bridge: a boost for the development of Bahia
Construction in Bahia will be the longest bridge in Latin America
When we discuss the Salvador Itaparica Bridge, it’s common to view it merely as a simple infrastructure project that will connect two cities. However, this perspective is reductionist. In reality, it’s much more than just a bridge. It’s a project with the potential to transform the economic and social realities of various regions in our country.
BAHIA | Salvador-Itaparica Bridge will feature unprecedented technologies and benefit more than 10 million people
The Salvador-Itaparica Bridge, one of the most eagerly awaited infrastructure projects by the people of Bahia, should become an important vector of economic and social transformation in Bahia. After conducting in-depth studies, the Consortium is in the process of hiring an offshore geotechnical survey company to take soil samples in order to determine the best location for the piers, and then begin construction.
Progress in the construction of the Salvador – Itaparica bridge
In the coming months, a geotechnical study will begin for the implementation of the project.
The Salvador-Itaparica Bridge, a project long awaited by the people of Bahia due to its magnitude and its ability to transform the socio-economic reality of the state, continues to advance. The next and long awaited step that will mark the beginning of the construction is the soil investigation in the Baía de Todos os Santos (BTS), which will begin in the coming months, with an investment of approximately R$ 160 million.
Salvador-Itaparica Bridge: a transformative work for society
SINICON em Revista interviews Cláudio Villas Boas, the CEO of the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge Concessionaire. He has over 10 years of experience in managing and structuring large infrastructure investments. As an engineer with a solid academic background and international experience, he holds a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada. His professional journey includes experience with Braskem, BRK Ambiental, and Atvos.
This Wednesday (5th), Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues left the capital of China, Beijing, and went to the city of Xian for another meeting regarding the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge. This time, the meeting was with CR20, a shareholder that owns 50% of the concessionaire. The meeting was attended by the President of CR20, Lei Weibing, and other executives of the company. They discussed the schedule and the importance of the project for the economic and social development of Bahia.
The Governor stressed the importance of the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge for bilateral relations between Brazil and China. He said that the project should be part of the agenda of President Lula’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in April. Credit operations guaranteed by Banco do Nordeste, BNDES and Eximbank China were also discussed during the meeting.
The Government of Bahia and the shareholders also discussed ways to overcome the challenges of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which contributed to the increase in raw material prices and, in the end, caused an economic-financial imbalance in the project.
Besides the Governor, the secretaries accompanying him on his trip, Ângelo Almeida, of the Department of Economic Development, and André Joazeiro, of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Superintendent of Business Attraction, Paulo Guimarães, attended the meeting. From Brazil, the meeting was attended online by the Secretary of Infrastructure, Sérgio Brito, Chief of Staff, Afonso Florence, the Secretary of Finance, Manoel Vitório, and the President of the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge Concessionaire, Cláudio Villas Boas.
Last Tuesday (4th), the governor had a meeting in Beijing with CCCC, the other 50% shareholder of the concessionaire, during which he discussed technical and financial aspects of the project.
The Salvador-Itaparica Bridge Highway System will be a new vector of income distribution and will boost the economy of the entire State of Bahia, generating seven thousand jobs. In about 250 municipalities, 10 million inhabitants will benefit from the project. At 12.4 km, it will be the longest bridge in Latin America, and at the peak of the project it will create about seven thousand jobs. More than 50 programs will be implemented in the areas of environment, socio-cultural issues, land use and occupation, housing, urban infrastructure and education.
As reported by the Government of Bahia, Department of Communication.
During a meeting at the Beijing headquarters of the CCCC – China Communications Construction Company, a shareholder of the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge Concessionaire, progress was made in the negotiations to ensure the project’s feasibility. Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues and Sun Liqiang, the Vice President of CCCC, engaged in discussions about the project’s technical and financial aspects this Tuesday (4th). Chinese executives, along with the State Secretaries of Economic Development, Angelo Almeida, and Science and Technology, André Joazeiro, were also present. Manoel Vitório, the State Secretary of Finance, and Cláudio Villas Boas, the president of the concessionaire, also participated in the event remotely.
The meeting discussed the increase in the price of construction materials and the cost of financing due to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. “This is a continuation of the work I’ve been doing since the transition period and after assuming office. We’ve attended several CCCC meetings in São Paulo and Brasília to adapt to the current situation, which is a reality beyond anyone’s control, but one we must surmount. Given the pandemic and inflation, they argue that a rebalancing of prices and fundraising is necessary to finance the bridge.” explained Jerônimo.
The Governor pointed out that significant progress has already been made. Just last week, Banco do Nordeste allocated R$ 3 billion to fund a portion of the project. Alongside this, the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and a Chinese bank are in the advanced stages of discussions to contribute to the project’s financing.
Also at this meeting on Tuesday, the governor was present for a showcase of the CCCC’s technical prowess. The CCCC, having constructed seven out of the world’s ten largest bridges, boasts advanced construction technology. “The meeting was fruitful, with discussions revolving around technical and financial facets. This marks another milestone, and we anticipate positive developments in the upcoming months as a result of these meetings in China,” Jerônimo stated.
On Tuesday evening (4th), according to Brazilian time, the governor and the delegation from Bahia departed Beijing for Xian, another significant economic hub in China. There, they attended a meeting with CR20, the shareholder owning the remaining 50% of the Salvador-Itaparica Bridge Concessionaire.
As reported by the Government of Bahia, Department of Communication.
Chinese companies are becoming increasingly important players in Latin America’s infrastructure.
That’s evident in the Brazilian state of Bahia, where major Chinese firms are involved in key projects to improve transit in and around the state’s capital, Salvador.
