The state of São Paulo has invited pre-qualification bids by the end of May 2000 for the construction of the 12.8km long underground section of Line 4 of the São Paulo Metro. The $2bn, 12 station line will run from Luz southwest to Taboao.
Construction of Line 4 will involve a range of techniques: 0.4km is in cut+cover, 8.6km is in NATM and 3.8km will be bored using a shielded TBM. Tunnel diameter is 6.2-10.2m. Construction of Line 4 is scheduled for completion in 2004 and, when operational, will carry about one million people.
The project will be part financed by the World Bank and Brazil’s National Bank for Economic & Social Development, with the balance from the private sector. Under the modified BOT formula, the winning private sector company will build and operate the line and keep the profits for a period to be negotiated. At the end of this period, all fixed and moving assets will become the property of the metro. By 2020, the São Paulo Metro is planned to consist of 14 lines and will run for 340km in and around the city.