An ambitious infrastructure project is underway in Brazil, where a megabridge of 12.4 kilometers is being constructed to connect the city of Salvador with the island of Itaparica. This viaduct, driven by Chinese companies China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), aims to transform the local transportation system and reduce waiting times by 40%. The new structure will not only facilitate the transit of around 28,000 vehicles daily but will also shorten travel distances by up to 100 kilometers by road.
However, the project has raised concerns due to its potential environmental and social impact, particularly among communities that depend on the coastal ecosystem. Itaparica’s fishermen representative, Rafael Carvalho, expressed his worries by stating: “We live off the sea, and a road with heavy vehicles in the middle is a tragedy.” Despite the expected economic benefits, such as the connection of strategic routes, local residents criticize the lack of information regarding the development, which increases their uncertainty. Antônio Salvador dos Santos, a 75-year-old resident, remarked: “We only know what we see on television,” reflecting concerns about the possible transformation of their social and cultural environment.
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