«Everyone knows that we are no longer in the age of asphalt. But this road is not asphalt for asphalt. It was more than necessary asphalt». That is how José Amarelinho, mayor of Aljezur, classified, on Friday, the inauguration of the repaving of a seven-kilometer stretch of the regional road ER 124/267, between that town and Marmelete.
António Ramalho, president of Estradas de Portugal (EP), who presided over the ceremony on behalf of the Secretary of State for Public Works, stressed that the inauguration was "more symbolic than it seems". That same day, «at the opposite pole of Portugal», another road was being inaugurated, in this case a section of the A4 motorway between Quintanilha and Bragança, a work that was also fundamental «for regional accessibility».
“The asphalt policy died, and thankfully, because of the debts it left. But there are works that continue to be structuring for the regions», added António Ramalho.
The person responsible for EP stressed that the inauguration of the repaving of this section of the ER 124/267, between Aljezur and the border of the neighboring municipality of Monchique, near Marmelete, is the result of «the work of a local authority and in this sense is very significant. It is a regional road that results from the investment of an autarchy, using community funds».
The requalification work – which includes repaving, correction of curves and flooring, placement of protection rails and horizontal and vertical signaling – cost almost 1,5 million euros and is the result of an application submitted by the Municipality of Aljezur to PO Algarve 21. According to this municipality, the intervention is already fully paid for.
Population and tourists benefit
José Amarelinho, speaking to the Sul Informação, underlined the «immense importance of this work, which complements what remained to be done in this mountainous connection axis».
«There is a very important pendular movement between Monchique and Aljezur, which is facilitated in this way. And then we must not forget about tourism. Those who visit Monchique usually come to the Costa Vicentina. Before, with the road as it was, full of potholes and more dangerous, this connection was difficult and I even know that there are rent-a-car companies that advised tourists against using this road».
«Previously, whoever used this road leaving Monchique already knew when it entered the municipality of Aljezur, such was the difference in the quality of the surface. Now, maybe, the opposite will happen», concluded, joking, the Aljezurense mayor.
Monchique benefits from work but needs other interventions
Rui André, mayor of Monchique, also present at the ceremony, told the Sul Informação that this repaving "completes the difficulties of connecting these two neighboring municipalities".
«In Monchique, we have made a great effort to create a good internal road network, but the connection with other municipalities is essential. Having a good internal road network only makes sense if it is complemented by connections to the outside," said the mayor.
Hence the importance he attaches to the repaving and upgrading of these close to seven kilometers of road, which will allow better access between Monchique and the Costa Vicentina, a connection “very important for residents and fundamental for tourist circuits”.
"There are areas in our municipality that have a very close connection, even in terms of work, with Aljezur, especially Marmelete", he explained.
Rui André pointed out that, despite this improvement in a fundamental axis, Monchique still has other difficulties in terms of accessibility to neighboring municipalities. «The connection with Silves is very deficient, the connection to Alentejo, through Sabóia, but above all the North connection, from Selão to São Teotónio (Odemira), is in need of urgent intervention».
And the Monchique mayor has not forgotten the old dream of a new, more direct road between Monchique and Portimão. “But I know that, in the current circumstances of the country, it's surreal to talk about this fast track. The current road was recently requalified, but it has some bottlenecks, due to lowering of the pavement, where Estradas de Portugal has to intervene».
Section of 6,65 kilometers targeted for requalification
A requalification targeted a 6,65 kilometer extension of the ER 267 that connects to Marmelete, in the neighboring municipality of Monchique, on the stretch between Aljezur and the limit of the municipality.
The section is part of the so-called Serrano transverse axis, considered as one of the main axes of interregional articulation, linking the main urban agglomerations in the interior, and its requalification is defined as a priority in the document Algarve-Development Strategies (2007/2013).
The project was approved by the PO Algarve's Management Authority with an eligible investment in the amount of 1.475.987,80 euros, with a ERDF financial contribution of 50%. Subsequently, due to technical reprogramming, the co-financing rate was set at 65%.
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