News A new road tunnel that will cut travel times between Rio de Janeiro domestic airport and other regions of the Olympic host city opened on Sunday (19 June) The 3 37km (two mile) tunnel will make it easier for spectators travelling by car, taxi, bus or ride-sharing services to get from Santos Dumont airport and the city centre to Rio 2016 venues, especially those in the Deodoro region It is the longest urban tunnel in Brazil and a key feature of the regeneration of Rio's once decaying port and waterfront district The new tunnel, 43 metres below sea level, replaces an ugly overpass that was blamed for bringing urban blight to a region rich in history and culture Since the overpass was blown up in spectacular style in 2013, new museums, bicycle lanes and walking paths have opened in the district, which is now reclaiming its place as the historic heart of the city   Currently, the tunnel is open only in one direction; traffic will start flowing in the other direction at the end of July When fully open, it will have capacity for 110,000 vehicles per day, reducing traffic bottlenecks in other parts of the city  The entrance to the new tunnel (Photo: Rio City Hall /J P Engelbrecht) The tunnel forms part of a series of major investments in transport infrastructure  that are being completed in Rio ahead of the Games Rio de Janeiro’s international airport has opened a new building that has almost doubled its passenger capacity   A new metro line linking Rio de Janeiro's city centre, tourist neighbourhoods and beach areas to the main Olympic zone of Barra da Tijuca is scheduled to start operating on 1 August  At the end of May, the road linking southern Rio to Barra was expanded, increasing its traffic capacity by 30 per cent New Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines are also being finalised A high-tech light rail service began operating in the waterfront district on 5 June; by the time of the Olympic Games in August, the trams (known locally as the VLT) will link Santos Dumont airport to the city's long-distance bus station and the main commuter train station, running through the port region and past the ferry and cruise ship terminals