The abandonment of the construction of the EN125 variants in Odiáxere, Olhão, Luz de Tavira and the EN 2 between Faro and S. Brás de Alportel is one of the main consequences of the renegotiation of the contract with the sub-concessionaire Rotas do Algarve Litoral carried out by Estradas de Portugal (EP).
EP will also assume responsibility for the maintenance and conservation of 93 kilometers of the EN125, which were part of the sub-concession, as of 1 January 2014.
According to the PSD/Algarve, with the agreement reached in the renegotiation of this PPP (Public-Private Partnership) it will be possible to “resume with immediate effect the modernization works of this important Algarve road with a saving of 155 million euros”.
The Social Democrats added that “the construction of the EN 125 variants to Lagos, Almancil/Troto, Faro and the road that connects Guia to Albufeira».
However, they admit, the construction of the Olhão bypass will be left out, which is "a serious flaw in this process, as this is a structural work for circulation on the EN125".
The PSD/Algarve emphasizes “that all light and heavy traffic needs to pass through the interior of the city of Olhão, generating natural inconveniences and security problems”, calling on the Social Democrats for Estradas de Portugal to “reequate this specific issue”.
This is because «this work is fundamental from the point of view of the mobility of populations, while at the same time representing an important increase in tourism activity, so its requalification must also be seen from the perspective of investment in the main economic activity in the region».
For Luís Gomes, president of the PSD/Algarve, «this is great news for the Algarve. Resuming work on the EN 125 is essential to improve circulation and safety on this road. The Algarvians were apprehensive about the stoppage of the works and now, after four months of interruption and a successful negotiation by the government, they will be resumed. This political crime committed by the PS to the Algarve is now solved with a saving of 155 million euros and with the resumption of works. But this is also an opportunity for the government to direct part of the funds it is now able to save towards the additional effort required with regard to tolls on Via do Infante».
Users of Via do Infante: «A scandal to shout to heaven!»
A very different opinion from PSD/Algarve has the Commission of Users of Via do Infante, which considers that «Estradas de Portugal offered the euromillions to Rotas do Algarve Litoral – this company does not build fundamental works, which are cancelled, and the bulk maintenance passes to the public company!».
CUVI even considers that this is "a scandal to cry to heaven", through which the government continues "to privilege PPPs".
The Commission of Users affirms that it strongly repudiates this agreement and expresses solidarity with the municipalities of Lagos, Olhão, Tavira, Faro and S. Brás de Alportel, affected by these measures».
The PSD, for its part, prefers to point out that «this was one of the ruinous deals carried out by the Government of José Sócrates, by the hand of the then Secretary of State Paulo Campos, who, in an attitude completely disconnected from reality, assumed future commitments in the order of 500 million of euros without worrying about who would pay the bill. This and other businesses in this modality (PPP) spread throughout the country are one of the main factors responsible for the current state of the country, which today seeks to gain direction with an immense effort on the part of the Portuguese».
“State management has to be responsible and take into account the next generations. In this sense, it is completely unacceptable that the political leaders who made commitments at the time are not held politically responsible for errors of this nature», insist the Algarve social democrats.
The Commission of Users of Via do Infante, for its part, has once again demanded the immediate suspension of tolls on Via do Infante.
“Tolls are making a strong contribution to a terrible social and economic calamity in the Algarve, the consequences of which are already being tragically felt. AMAL and all entities, users and populations must demand and fight for the immediate lifting of tolls. That's what the Commission of Users will continue to do with all its strength and donates to whoever it hurts. This government, due to the misdeeds it has done to the Algarve and the Algarve, must suspend the tolls immediately and then present its resignation».
In this sense, CUVI announces that it will deliver, in the Assembly of the Republic, on October 10th, at 14 pm, a new Petition containing 00 signatures for the immediate suspension of tolls on the A13/Via Infante de Sagres.
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