Brazil plans major infrastructure work ahead of World Cup
In five years’ time, Brazil will host one of the biggest events in sport – the World Cup – so the country is gearing up for a huge festival of football.
Although 2014 might seem a long way away, Brazil’s government is already working on improving infrastructure, including building three new stadia in Natal, Salvador and Recife, to add to famous and historic venues the country currently boasts.
Speaking on radio programme Bom Dia Ministro in July, sports minister Orlando Silva and cities minister Marcio Fortes discussed the current projects being undertaken in the 12 locations that will stage World Cup games, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Cuiabá, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sáo Paulo.
Salvador is set to get a new 55,000-seater stadium, construction set to finish in 2012, while the Estadio das Dunas will be built in Natal. Plans for the City Cup stadium in Recife are also underway and it is expected to be in place by 2011.
Mr Silva and Mr Fortes insisted that construction work and other infrastructure developments would have to be completed at least a year before the tournament starts, adding that the new structures and transportation networks are being designed to be of long-term benefit to the host cities.
In addition, Brazil’s civil aviation authorities will also be working to make sure that the airports in each of the 12 cities have direct flights to other host destinations.
As part of the improvement to air travel, a new hub is being built in Natal. It is expected that spending on the project will amount to $650 million (£401 million). The new Sao Goncalo de Amarante is expected to handle up to five million passengers when it is completed.
It will be the biggest commercial airport in Latin America and the fourth largest in the world.
The government is also investing in the rail system, aiming to open a new high-speed bullet train in time for the World Cup. Bidding for the project is set to begin in early 2010 and the new system is expected to link Belo Horizonte, Sao Paulo and Curitiba.
In addition, ministers have plans for 11,700 miles of railroads to be built across the country, facilitating improved access to the 12 host cities.
Ports are also receiving a makeover as part of the country’s plans for the World Cup and its efforts to secure the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Work began in June on overhauling Rio’s port zone, with 374 million reais (£124 million) being invested in the project. Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was present for the inauguration of construction on a range of projects.
These include a improvements to Maua Square and the main streets, underground parking and restoration of historic buildings.
“Rio de Janeiro is an important Brazilian and world city,” said President Lula at the opening. “The federal government guarantees its full support to revitalise the port, which will become another icon of the city.”
Brazil’s leaders know that the World Cup is a fantastic opportunity for boosting the country’s profile in the same way that the event thrust Germany into the limelight in 2006 and they are working hard to ensure 2014 is just as successful.
