New tunnel link for Rio de Janeiro

RSSExcavation work is now underway in Brazil for the Transolimpica tunnel. The US$688.6 million project forms part of the preparation works for the 2016 1558 Olympic Games. The 23km route will connect Barra da Tijuca and Deodoro in Rio de Janeiro. The construction work is expected to last 18 months and should be complete by December 2015. Work on the Transolimpica route is being carried out by the Viario consortium, which comprises 1305 Odebrecht, Invepar, and CCR. The tunnel will feature two lanes in each direction when it is complete and expected to handle some 55,000 vehicles/day. The project also includes the construction of a BRT lane with 18 stations and two passenger terminals, which is expected to serve some 100,000 passengers and cut travel time by two hours.