The L6 Metro Project: Addressing São Paulo’s Urban Mobility Challenge

São Paulo, a vibrant metropolis of over 12 million residents, faces some of the most pressing urban mobility challenges globally. The city’s metro system, consisting of six lines, spans over 104.4 kilometers and connects 89 stations. The system carries approximately 5 million passengers daily. Yet traffic congestion remains a critical issue, with residents often spending up to two hours a day commuting. The overburdened public transport system, reliant on buses and five existing lines, struggles to meet growing demand, leading to overcrowding and longer commutes, impacting residents' quality of life.

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Spanning 15.3 km, this metro line will bridge the city’s central region with the growing northwest, cutting travel time from 1.5 hours by bus to just 23 minutes. Upon completion, the L6 Metro Line will provide daily service to 633,000 passengers, offering an efficient and more sustainable alternative to the city's crowded roads and bus systems.

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A significant milestone in infrastructure development

ACCIONA, operating in over 40 countries, is renowned for developing and managing sustainable infrastructure solutions, particularly in renewable energy. The L6 Metro project aligns with ACCIONA's commitment to innovation and sustainability. As the largest public-private infrastructure project in Latin America and the most ambitious in ACCIONA’s history, it exemplifies modern, fast, and eco-friendly transportation solutions.

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Construction of the L6 Metro Line began in 2020, utilizing two tunnel boring machines (Shield), with the first phase of 8 stations set to open in October 2026, and the remaining 7 stations scheduled for completion by October 2027. This expansion will help ease traffic congestion, reduce pollution, and provide reliable public transportation for São Paulo's expanding population.

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Projected Approach and Sustainability Impact: Empowering Communities Through Inclusivity and Human Rights

The L6 Metro Project in São Paulo exemplifies how infrastructure development can drive progress beyond physical connectivity, aligning with the FAST-Infra Label framework and demonstrating positive contributions across social and environmental dimensions by embedding social sustainability and ethical practices, the project delivers significant impact.

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Fostering Gender Equality and Building Inclusive Workforce Leadership

The L6 Metro Project champions gender equality by fostering an inclusive workforce and empowering vulnerable communities:

• Capacity Building: 940 women have benefited from specialized training programs designed to enhance technical and supervisory skills.
• Leadership Representation: Women hold 23% of managerial roles.‍
• Commitment to Equality: The project is actively working toward achieving gender parity in leadership positions, supported by policies and an environment that nurtures diversity.

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Advancing Human Rights and Empowering the Workforce

Through ethical labor practices, the project ensures that its workforce is protected and empowered:

• Exceeding Standards: Labor and human rights measures go beyond national and sectoral requirements, ensuring fairness and dignity for all workers.
• Pandemic Resilience: During restrictive periods, the project guaranteed livable wages for migrant workers, highlighting its commitment to social equity.
• Workforce Development:
  • 10,000 individuals, previously unemployed or underemployed, now have secure employment.
  • 1,000 youth, who were outside education or training systems, have gained stable jobs.
  • Over 5,000 training sessions have been conducted to build a skilled and capable workforce.
  • Women constitute 17% of ACCIONA's direct workforce, supported by ethical policies and practices that prioritize respect for workers' rights.

A Benchmark for Large Infrastructure Projects

The L6 Metro Project is an example of how infrastructure can drive sustainability and social impact. By embedding climate action, pollution mitigation, inclusivity, ethical practices, and resilience, the project redefines infrastructure's role, transforming it into a catalyst for a more equitable and empowered society.