Brazil
A high-speed rail connecting São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro is currently under development. The high-speed line is expected to be operational by 2017 or 2018. The Rio-São Paulo High Speed rail (Portuguese: Trem de Alta Velocidade Rio-São Paulo; Abbreviation: TAV RJ-SP) is a high-speed rail project with the purpose of connecting Brazil's two largest metropoleis: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro with an extension to Campinas, another metropolis conurbated with São Paulo and 100 km distant from it. The proposed route is through one of Brazil's most mountainous and urbanized terrains resulting the need of around 40% of the tracks to be built through viaducts, bridges and tunnels. Such massive need of structures has made the proposed project's price spike to US$16 billion.
Planned:
- Brasília - Goiania - Rio Verde - Itumbiara - Uberlandia - Uberaba - Ribeirao Preto - Campinas - São Paulo - Rio de Janeiro (1200 km).
- Belo Horizonte - São Paulo (594 km).
- Curitiba - São Paulo (410 km).
- Santos - São Paulo (80 km).
- Brasília - Goiânia (200 km).
Track gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge)
Proposed commercial speed: 350 km/h
Government mandatory stations: Rio de Janeiro Centre, Rio de Janeiro Intl Airport, Volta Redonda/Barra Mansa, São José dos Campos, São Paulo/Guarulhos Intl Airport, São Paulo Centre, São Paulo/Viracopos Intl Airport and Campinas Centre.
Read more about this topic: Planned High-speed Rail By Country, Planned / Proposed, South America