Category:
City Hall participates in the presentation of the new metro expansion project
Published on 09/06/2025 - 15:43 | Updated on 09/06/2025 - 16:08
Currently, Line 4 of the subway goes to Jardim Oceânico station, in Barra da Tijuca - Disclosure Mayor Eduardo Paes participated this Monday (9/6) in the presentation of the new plan for expanding the subway network, held at the headquarters of the State Secretariat for Transportation and Urban Mobility (Setram), in Copacabana. The state government detailed the proposal for a connection between Estácio and Praça XV, the construction of Line 3 — which will connect Praça XV to Guaxindiba, in São Gonçalo, passing through Niterói —, in addition to the extension of Line 4 to Recreio dos Bandeirantes.
With an estimated investment of R$28,8 billion, the initiative, which includes 31 new stations and 44 kilometers of additional tracks, is a strategic milestone for urban development and mobility in the region. The first sections are expected to come into operation in 2031, with the project expected to be fully completed by the end of 2032.
– The commitment made today represents a concrete step towards expanding the benefits to the city of Rio and the metropolitan region, improving mobility and the quality of life of our population. It is possible to be bold, think big and achieve. When we invest in infrastructure, we transform the city, boost the economy and improve people’s lives – declared Eduardo Paes, accompanied by Vice Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere.
The City of Rio has made itself available to contribute to the advancement of the project, mainly through the use of urban planning instruments that have already been successful in other initiatives in the city.
– Given the impact of this project on the metropolitan region and, especially, on the city of Rio, we are ready to collaborate. We will make the city’s construction potential available as a financing instrument, just as we did in Porto Maravilha, the Olympic Park and other important projects. This is an efficient way to attract investment without directly relying on public resources, enabling interventions that improve mobility and boost urban development – said Paes.
The State Secretary of Transport and Urban Mobility, Washington Reis, presented the studies developed by the Economic Research Institute Foundation (FIPE), which provide the technical solutions planned for each section included in the expansion project.
– We have reached this point after a lot of work and coordination between the federative entities. What we are announcing here is a concrete commitment to urban mobility and the quality of life of the population. This is an initiative that will come to fruition and generate real results for our state – he emphasized.
The Minister of Cities, Jader Barbalho Filho, praised the initiative.
– Our goal is to make people’s daily lives easier, shorten distances and ensure better quality public transportation. It is a joint effort between the federal government, the state government and city governments to transform mobility and the quality of life of the people of Rio de Janeiro – said the minister, before mayors of the Rio Metropolitan Region.
The project will be executed using resources from public-private partnerships, in addition to investments from state and municipal governments and the BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development).
The expectation is that the first bidding and contracting processes will begin early next year.
The connection between Estácio and Praça XV is estimated to cost R$4,4 billion. Line 3, which will connect the subway to São Gonçalo, is expected to cost around R$14,6 billion. The expansion between Jardim Oceânico and Recreio has a budget of R$9,8 billion.
Extension of Line 4 to Recreio
The forecast is that the Alvorada Terminal will become a strategic integration point, connecting future expansions of the metro network and integrating with other modes of transport, promoting greater efficiency and accessibility to urban mobility in the region.
Estacio – XV Square
Since the original conception of Line 2 in the 1970s, the extension to Praça XV has always been considered essential to more efficiently connect the North Zone to the Center and South Zone. The route follows the central axis of Rua Frei Caneca and positions Catumbi Station behind Praça da Apoteose.
Considered a priority in the Metro Master Plan (PDM), the section between Estácio and Praça XV will allow Line 2 to follow its original route and operate independently, transforming Carioca station into one of the main integration points with Line 1.
The change eliminates operational crossings at Central and Botafogo stations, as Line 2 trains will no longer need to access the same tracks as Line 1, as is the case today. This will eliminate bottlenecks and reduce intervals, increasing Line 2's capacity by 70%.
Line 3: XV Square – Niterói – Guaxindiba
The first intercity subway line, Line 3 will connect the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Niterói and São Gonçalo on a 28 km route and 15 stations, and may be extended to Itaboraí in the future.
The transportation system, which will benefit approximately 650 users per day, will reduce travel time between Niterói and São Gonçalo from 2 hours to 40 minutes, especially during peak hours, and will represent significant savings for users. In addition, thousands of jobs will be created and traffic jams and pollutant emissions will be reduced.
According to the Metro Master Plan (PDM), the first section, connecting Praça XV and Arariboia stations, would be built through an underwater tunnel dug under Guanabara Bay, taking into account the complexity of the construction process and geological and environmental aspects. From Arariboia onwards, Line 3 stations will operate on the surface.
The Guaxindiba station is expected to be built near BR-101, one of the country's main federal highways, facilitating intermodal integration and meeting the demand of neighboring municipalities, such as Itaboraí, Tanguá, Rio Bonito, Cachoeiras de Macacu and Magé.
