Chamusca bridge and solutions available

Subject: Chamusca bridge and solutions available

The Dr João Joaquim Isidro dos Reis bridge, known as the Chamusca bridge, in Portugal, is an important road link in the Santarém region. It is particularly important for Chamusca and Golegã and is the only road crossing for local residents and the numerous businesses operating in the area.

The bridge dates back to 1909 and the carriageway is narrow, a situation that is not helped by the growing number of heavy goods vehicles which use it. It also has serious structural issues, including a broken arch and a road surface that is unable to withstand changes in the weather. All those who use the bridge face safety and transport issues as a result.

Alternative routes and a renovated Chamusca bridge are sorely needed by local residents and businesses.

1. Is the Commission aware of any submitted project designed to renovate the bridge and create alternatives, including by responding to local residents’ requests for a completed IC3 route linking Almeirim and Vila Nova da Barquinha via a new bridge? If so, what is the status of the project(s)?

2. What EU funds could be used for those works and what are the conditions for using them?

Submitted:19.2.2024

Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission

(5 April 2024)

The Commission is not aware of any submitted project designed to renovate the Chamusca bridge and/or to create alternatives under the cohesion policy funds for the period 2014-2020.

According to the Partnership Agreement with Portugal, investments in road infrastructure, including maintenance, will not be co-financed under the 2021-2027 cohesion policy programmes, except for some specific situations mentioned in the document.

The only source of EU funding for road investments in Portugal is currently the Component 7 of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) (1). However, the project is not included in the Portuguese RRP either.

1 ∙ ⸱ C7: INFRAESTRUTURAS — Recuperar Portugal: https://recuperarportugal.gov.pt/infraestruturas-c7/ | | ( | | )