From Brasília to Espírito Santo by rail.
- contato177592
- Oct 31
- 2 min read
Brasília should soon have a rail link to Espírito Santo. And, in addition to freight transport, the return of the charm of passenger trains is not ruled out.
The process for the construction of the Juscelino Kubitschek Railway is progressing rapidly, according to José Roberto Barbosa, director of PetroCity Ferrovias, the company responsible for implementing the project.
The project, which will connect the federal capital to the port of São Mateus on the coast of Espírito Santo, passing through the city of Barra de São Francisco, is currently undergoing environmental licensing with IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) and was approved by the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) in 2024, when the agency recognized the railway as being of public utility. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and be completed in 2031.
According to company data, Brazilian rail transport has suffered a dramatic decline. It went from approximately 30,000 kilometers of active tracks in the 1920s to just over 12,000 kilometers in operation in the 2020s. The director emphasizes that it is because of the potential of the railways that resuming the expansion of Brazilian rail lines becomes essential, serving as a landmark railway initiative aimed at developing the interior of the country's economy.
"There is no large country without a truly balanced transport infrastructure. That is the future," he assesses.
The expert explains to Correio da Manhã that, in parallel to the JK Railway, the process for the Central-Eastern Corridor railway complex is also underway.
“The JK Railway consists of tracks that run for 1,360 kilometers. The route is also part of the Central-East Corridor, which is in the same preliminary phase. This is a larger complex that connects Minas Gerais, Goiás, Brasília, and Espírito Santo, with more than two thousand kilometers passing through 68 cities. So, we will have dry ports that will, in reality, help to boost this movement of cargo, not only in the municipalities that have them, but throughout the surrounding area,” he states.
Sustainability
In addition to strengthening the commercial sector, José Roberto states that the project also foresees the advancement of decarbonization in Brazil, since, according to him, trains can reduce the flow of trucks on the country's highways.
“This will reduce the final cost of the merchandise, CO₂ emissions, and also generate employment, economic and social growth. According to our studies, 100 railcars can replace 300 trucks,” he states.
He reports that, with the project already approved by ANTT, the expropriation process for construction has begun, but emphasizes that the route does not affect environmental preservation areas or traditional communities.
The director reveals that, initially, the project is focused on freight transport, but studies demonstrate the viability of passenger trains, which could contribute to Brazilian tourism. He emphasizes that, in this initial phase, passenger transport is still economically unfeasible, but the company intends to move forward with the transformation.
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