São Paulo gives green light to basic engineering and design studies for new subway line

Brazil’s São Paulo state authorized the subway operator to start the basic design studies for the construction of line 20.

The 33km line will have 24 stations and connect state capital São Paulo with the cities of Santo André and São Bernardo do Campo.

More than 1.3mn passengers a day are expected to use the line.

"The MNEPI Linha 20 consortium for line 20 will have a period of 20 months to complete detailed studies that will precisely define the technical aspects of the project. These analyses will serve as the basis for essential stages, such as the drawing up of the schedule, contracting of the works, and defining the economic model for the implementation of line 20-pink," the state government said in a release, adding that the cost of the studies is estimated at 138mn reais (US$23.8m)", said the government in a release.

The MNEPI Linha 20 consortium comprises Maubertec Tecnologia em Engenharia, Nova Engevix Engenharia e Projetos, Pólux Engenharia and Intertechne Consultores.

"The basic project will also provide guidelines that will define the formats and characteristics of the tunnels and tracks, as well as those of the stations and depots along the subway line. The study phase also includes the development of architectural projects, urban integration, finishings, visual communication and civil works, as well as electrical supply systems, telecommunications, escalators and elevators," said the state government.

Changes ahead

São Paulo's subway and urban train network is the largest and busiest in Brazil, and the one with the most new projects, mainly in the form of PPPs and concessions.

One of the most active companies in the segment is local infrastructure group CCR, and financial newspaper Valor Econômico reported recently that the firm is evaluating the renewal of its concessions portfolio and is considering selling certain airport and urban mobility assets.

According to the newspaper, which did not reveal where it obtained the information, the company hired Goldman Sachs to advise on the sale of a minority stake in the firm's urban mobility segment.

CCR operates in the São Paulo subway system via consortiums ViaQuatro for line 4, and ViaMobilidade for line 5. ViaMobilidade also operates CPTM rapid transit lines 8 and 9.