The routine of residents of Rua Matias de Albuquerque, in the Uruguai neighborhood, in Salvador, was changed. This is because the state’s Urban Development Company (Conder) carries out micro and macro drainage works in the region. The intention is to put an end to the flooding that has been recorded in the area for over 50 years. “It’s horrible! To leave is serious business. I even feel embarrassed if a visitor comes… It gets crowded. There are people here who have already lost furniture.” The report is from Ms. Tereza Maria Moraes, who has lived in the area for 85 years and has seen several neighbors suffer losses due to large amounts of water that invaded their homes.
The micro and macro drainage works in the Massaranduba, Boa Viagem and Bonfim basins will reach eight neighborhoods in Cidade Baixa. This is the first intervention of the Growth Acceleration Plan (PAC) in Bahia, whose order was signed by governor Jerônimo Rodrigues on February 5th. The services are carried out by Conder, an entity linked to the Secretariat of Urban Development (Sedur), and have a financial contribution of R$82.5 million. “It will end, once and for all, the flooding in that region. We will not only provide a better quality of life, but we will urbanize that entire region. We will work to serve almost 20% of the population of the Itapagipe Peninsula. We will have the opportunity to urbanize, to create jogging tracks, playgrounds, leisure spaces, in other words, several situations that will definitely improve the lives of the entire population”, pointed out José Trindade, president of Conder.
As the old network no longer met the demand, pipes are being changed, going from the current 600mm diameter to 1050mm, aiming to provide more flow for rainwater. To reduce the impact on residents, after changing the pipes, the area is covered and traffic is freed up. The interventions will reach approximately 190 thousand residents of Uruguay, Massaranduba, Roma, Mares, Boa Viagem, Caminho de Areia, Vila Ruy Barbosa and Jardim Cruzeiro, bringing greater peace of mind to these people. “I’m hoping it will be wonderful. I hope so, that it will be great, as the young people say, right? I live here in the Uruguay neighborhood, but the street is beautiful, it is well maintained.”
The intervention area covers approximately two square kilometers, with macro-drainage channels and micro-drainage in six kilometers. 48 thousand square meters of roads will also be paved. Trindade asks residents to be patient, as the benefits will be long-lasting. “Believe in the government of the State of Bahia that this inconvenience of years and years, which often prevented children and young people from going to school, because the waters reached their legs, those businessmen who have their businesses in that region, who saw the water invading, taking all their products… The government of Bahia will now, after 30 months of work, bring a definitive solution to the entire region.”
Phases
The execution is divided into four batches. The first covers interventions in streets such as Princesa Isabel, Boa Vista and Marechal Teixeira Lott up to Jardim Castro Alves, scheduled for completion in September 2025. Lot two, which covers the stretch from Rua Resende Costa to Avenida Caminho de Areia , must be completed by February 2026. The third lot comprises streets such as Monsenhor Basílio Pereira, Barão de Cotegipe to Rua Fernando Alves, expected to be completed by December 2024. Lot four encompasses independent execution of specific streets, including remaining sections of networks in different locations, expected to be completed in August 2025.
The execution of Systems II and III involves a series of detailed activities, including plumbing in reinforced concrete galleries and the use of high-density polyethylene pipes, with interconnections of existing networks and the construction of special devices, such as storm drains, manholes, meeting boxes, channels, gutters, inspection boxes, in addition to paving the roads where the galleries will be installed, contributing to the urbanization of the area.
Socio-environmental Project
An additional amount of almost R$3 million is planned for socio-environmental projects, such as urbanization, creation of community leisure spaces, sewage systems and improvements in road signage. Investments include training, training and updating local labor, through professional workshops. Alex Lucas, resident of Rua Matias Albuquerque, was hired to work as a security guard on the site. According to him, in addition to the benefits of the work, he has a contract to work. “Work on the project and give us more quality. I am vigilant at night. I take care of the machinery and materials that remain here at the site.”
A pre-registration of the professional profiles of residents of the neighborhoods involved is already in the preparation phase, with a view to possible hiring. Conder’s anthropologist and social technician, Carolina Homem, highlights that the intention is to expand the feeling of belonging to the work: “This hiring of local residents also acts as an intermediary with the community and we include residents in the work. The community starts to feel like they belong to this project that is so important for Cidade Baixa.” The State will also promote cultural and sporting activities. The team will work in the region for around 30 months, with a Conder office in Cidade Baixa.
New PAC
The new PAC, launched nationally in August last year, includes other important works in Bahia, such as the recovery of BR-116 and the duplication of the BR-101 section, in addition to the Catolé, Baraúna and Rio da Caixa dams. “Bahia is benefiting from this large PAC investment. Other works will come. President Lula’s government has already allocated R$119 billion for works throughout Bahia. There will be interventions in the drainage system, slope containment works, schools and hospitals. Works that will benefit the lives of millions and millions of men and women from Bahia”, concluded Trindade.
Reporter: Tácio Santos/GOVBA
Tags: PAC WORKS PROMOTE IMPROVEMENTS NEIGHBORHOODS DOWNTOWN CITY
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