Macrodrenagem of the União Canal ensures more infrastructure for residents of the Marco neighborhood in Belém

The government of Pará delivers, on the morning of this Saturday (8), the macrodrenagem work of the União canal, in the Marco neighborhood, in Belém. Executed by the State Secretariat of Public Works (Seop), the intervention represents a significant advance in the urban infrastructure of the capital, ensuring more mobility, safety, and quality of life for the population.

The União canal is part of the complex called VULT, which includes the Vileta, União, Leal Martins, and Timbó canals, all delivered by the State and considered structural legacies of the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30) held in Belém. The work is part of the macrodrenagem of the Tucunduba Basin, directly benefiting more than 300,000 residents of the capital.

With a length of 350 meters, the União canal received new water supply, sewage, and drainage networks, in addition to three walkways, one bridge, road urbanization, sidewalks with tactile paving, backyard filling, and about two kilometers of asphalt paving. The investment from the Government of Pará is in partnership with the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES).

“The state government continues to advance in the largest macrodrenagem program in the history of Belém. And the realization of COP30 in our capital helped to secure the resources that are already changing the daily lives of the population. There are more than eleven kilometers of restructured canals, ensuring dignity for the people,” highlighted the State Secretary of Public Works, Ruy Cabral.

“The projects supported by BNDES in Belém are transforming the lives of half a million people,” pointed out the president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante, when talking about the investments allocated to a set of works in the capital of Pará, which includes, in addition to the Tucunduba Basin, the Tamandaré and Una Basins. “By providing a more dignified life to peripheral populations, the Bank fulfills its historical mission of improving the lives of generations of Brazilians, which is also a commitment of President Lula's government,” he added.

A resident of União street for almost 60 years, the self-employed Vanduil de Jesus celebrates the transformation brought about by the work. “Before, with the floods, the water reached our waists and we suffered a lot. Now it’s just gratitude: we walk on asphalt, our house has appreciated, we have more mobility, health, and safety. Our lives have completely changed for the better,” he states.

The satisfaction is shared by other residents. “This work will help a lot of people. Before, this canal was very bad, but now it has come to benefit the residents here on the street, thank God,” celebrates the self-employed Jackson Cristiano.

Structural advances in Belém – The government of Pará has been executing the largest macrodrenagem program in the history of Belém, with channel reurbanization works aimed at preventing flooding and improving the quality of life for more than 500,000 people. The actions reach the Tucunduba, Murutucu, Tamandaré, and Una basins.

Since 2019, the state government has already invested in the requalification of 18 canals in Belém, with 13 considered legacies of COP30. Among the completed works are the canals of Igarapé Tucunduba, Mundurucus, Timbó, Cipriano Santos, Vileta, Leal Martins, and Gentil Bittencourt.