Brazil Expands Light Rail and Metro Projects Nationwide

Brazil is accelerating investment in urban rail systems to cut emissions and expand public transport across multiple cities. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Vicente Abate, head of the rail equipment association Abifer, stated that Brazil prioritizes rail transit because it directly reduces traffic pollution and supports sustainable mobility.

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The transport ministry confirmed a $18 million light rail project in Campina Grande, Paraíba. The plan includes restoring 14.8km of abandoned tracks to link five urban zones, serving over 100,000 people.

Just days earlier, authorities announced a $35 million investment for a 13km light rail line in Arapiraca, Alagoas. That system will reuse 9km of existing infrastructure to increase efficiency and lower costs.

Both initiatives fall under a longstanding concession granted to Transnordestina Logística, a CSN subsidiary, during the 1998 rail privatization. These routes have been inactive since 2011.

Transnordestina recently agreed to return unused rail sections to the federal government. In exchange, the company must deliver the Arapiraca and Campina Grande projects under new commitments.

A Transnordestina representative confirmed the firm will contract construction partners “notably specialized and highly qualified” to execute the work.

Brazil Launches New Light Rail Projects in Northeast

Brazil continues to prioritize sustainable transit with major rail initiatives in Paraíba and Alagoas. The new systems aim to reduce road congestion and improve daily urban mobility.

These projects reflect Brazil’s shift toward clean public transport, making better use of dormant assets and aligning with environmental policies.

Brazil Prepares $3.5B São Paulo Metro Line Tender

In São Paulo, CMSP is preparing a tender for metro Line 19, valued at $3.5 billion. The 17.6km route includes 15 stations and a new maintenance yard, divided into three construction lots.

Leading firms like Andrade Gutierrez, Acciona, OHLA, and Sacyr have shown early interest. The contract includes both civil works and executive design responsibilities.

Source, photo: www.bnamericas.com

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