Sao Paulo Metro

Sao Paulo Metro

One of the biggest rail infrastructure project underway is the expansion of Sao Paulo Metro, currently its Line 6. The Sao Paulo Metro is the second largest in South America, serves 65 stations and covers more than 70 kilometres. Line 6 especially will cover 15 stations, stretching more than 15 stations. It is an important example of public-private partnership model, as private companies have participated in its construction from its inception.

This metro project is very important to alleviate the traffic burden on other forms if transport. “In 2002 about 7.4 million journeys on public transport and 8 million car journeys took place in São Paulo. Then, the number of journeys by car represented 53 per cent of the daily total of motorised journeys in the Metropolitan Region, an increase from 48 per cent in 1997.” (Lsecities) Hence, with the development of Line 4 and integration of all subway, commuter and bus networks, it has helped to improve transportation for more than 600,000 residents. It has helped an increase in public participation of public transport. With all lines operational by 2020, Sao Paulo could be a major economic player in the future.

Sochi Olympic Park

Sochi Olympics Park

One of the most successful Winter Olympics and Paralympics Games was held last year in Sochi, Russia. Housing the main Olympics site for sports, it also consists of training facilities, the Olympic Village, the international broadcasting centre, and other amenities. The park was designed so that all of the venues would be accessible within walking distance of each other.

Now, the park has started hosting other important sporting events such as Ice Skating Grand Prix, World Chess Championship, Ice Hockey events etc. Now, it is expected to hold matches of the FIFA Confederation Cup (2017), Formula Grand Prix and FIFA World Cup(2018). “Currently, Sochi attracts 4 million tourists per year. Before the Olympics, just 1 percent came from abroad.” (RussiaToday). The facilities which are introduced for the Games can be used for many years by citizens of Sochi(which in turn could lead it to be one of the most important economic centre in Russia). Businesses such as hotel, restaurant, retail shops etc. see a massive jump in their revenues. 

Moscow Central Ring Road

Moscow Central Ring Road

The disintegration of USSR had let Russia to be considered a “developed country”, but still without any major infrastructural project in its name. This might soon change with the completion of Moscow Central Ring Road by 2018. Expected to encircle Moscow and cover 521 kilometres, 4-8 lines and with a maximum speed of 150 kmph, the Central Ring Road will boost Moscow’s image.

It will easily deal with Moscow’s ever-growing traffic. It will also reduce traffic congestion on Moscow Ring Road, the premier expressway in the city. “The new Central Ring Road will be equipped with road traffic automated control systems with weather stations and landing sites for air ambulance and rescue services’ helicopters. There are also plans for installation of noise barriers close to settlements. During the building of the road environmental issues are expected to be also taken into account, through the building of a system of storm water drainage and special crossings for animals. It is planned that The Federal Road Agency (Rosavtodor) will be responsible for the implementation of the project and will manage it.” (Worldhighways.com) Since it is built on a PPP model, it will be expensive to use it. 

Beijing Daxing International Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport

With this century seen as “Asian Century”, China is expected to play a very important role. And its investing heavily into improving its infrastructure. Its capital Beijing is getting revamped. With an additional airport planned, Beijing can serve as an axis around which China and her allies can revolve.

Though the airport is located 46 kilometres away from the city, it is necessary to remove the burden on the existing airport. The second airport is also expected to be well-accessible by connecting with High Speed Rail (HSR), metro, expressways and bus networks. “The new airport is expected to serve the regions of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. The airport will cover an area of 2,680 hectares (6,600 acres). The projected completion date for the new airport is October 2018

Yangshan Deepwater Port

Yangshan Deepwater Port

An upcoming water infrastructure project in China, the Yangshan Deepwater Port is connected to the world’s busiest port, the Shanghai Port. One of the main reason why the latter has helped China to become the world’s largest trader(and also the reason why many of the products you buy is Made in China) is Yangshan Port which has the capacity to harbour the world’s largest containers and can hold 12 million containers.

There is another interesting factor that the bridge connecting the port to the Donghai Bridge is the world’s longest sea bridge. This project has been developed as part of China’s economic reforms. It is the first “free-port” of the country. The following are the advantages from a Chinese website, Shinlang.com:

Advantage 1: -15 m water depth with the building of ports and waterways before. Yangshan Sea tide strong, not easy to drop sediment deposition, coastal waters, seabed and the basic stability of the past century.

Advantage 2: to ensure the ship's navigation and berthing safety. Port engineering solutions through the model test has repeatedly demonstrated that implementation of the project, after basically no impact on the natural conditions, can maintain the original water depth, and the size of the Yangshan Island chain, forming a natural barrier to mooring in good conditions.

Advantage 3: Engineering technical and economic feasibility. Engineering geological conditions of the waters of good and suitable for constructing the Hong Kong conditions; In addition, the building of long-distance cross-sea bridge in the world is also a precedent.

Advantage 4: Meet the world's law of development of the port out to sea. According to reports, the Yangshan Deepwater Port Area Master Plan to 2012 can be formed more than 10 kilometres deep-water coastline, arranged more than 30 berths, through capacity-more than 15 million standard containers. The works will include a port project, the East China Sea Bridge, the Luchaogang auxiliary supporting projects such as three parts.

South American Transcontinental Railway Road

South American Transcontinental Railway Road

A major South American infrastructure deal is in the works as China’s prime minister tours the region this week. Beijing is hoping to back and build an ambitious interoceanic railway between Brazil and Peru that could make for faster, cheaper transportation of local commodities to resource-thirsty Chinese markets. The proposed rail link, known as the Twin Ocean Railroad, would connect Porto do Açu, a Brazilian Atlantic port, with Peru’s Puerto Ilo on the Pacific Ocean through some 3,300 miles (5,300 km) of rail. The railway is expected to cut transportation time and reduce the cost of shipping grain from Brazil to China by about $30 a ton.

The rail line is estimated to cost $10 billion and reach completion in six years; around 2,000 miles of it will run through Brazil. There are high financial hopes for the deal. China, currently facing an economic slowdown, would be able to access raw materials more efficiently and at a lower cost if the railway is successfully completed. It could also be a major boost to Latin America’s sluggish economies. High-speed rail could help get products to the Pacific, which is a growing destination for Latin American exports, but it could also facilitate trade among Latin American countries themselves.

Sao Francisco River Integration Project

Sao Francisco River Integration Project

With an aim of pumping water in all arid areas of Brazil, the integration project on Sao Francisco River, one of Brazil’s longest river, is a marvel for infrastructure lovers. It is already described as the largest water infrastructure project undertaken by the Brazilian government. “The project consists of a system of open air concrete canals that will take the waters of São Francisco river – whose course will not be deviated – to big dams already existing in the semiarid area”- (Basilio)

This project will benefit more than 12 million people. The main uses of this project are 70% for irrigation, 25% for industrial use and 5% for domestic use.