NEW’S | Madalena ring road is “relevant” project for Pico and should begin by the end of the year, says José Manuel Bolieiro

The President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, was briefed today on the progress of the project for the ring road to the town of Madalena, Pico Island, an “important” project which, following approval from the Court of Auditors, should begin by the end of the year.

“I am very pleased. I believe the development of territories also takes place with this opportunity for better access and roads,” said the President of the Government, who was accompanied by the Regional Secretary for Infrastructures, Berta Cabral.

The works will be carried out by the Tecnovia – Açores/AFAVIAS-Engenharia e Construções – Açores, SA. consortium, following a public tender, and represent an overall investment of about 8.5 million Euros, including taxes and compulsory acquisitions.

The intervention is part of another project included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) for the Azorean road network.

“The contract has already been signed with the consortium and has been submitted to the Court of Auditors. After this approval,” the contract will be formally awarded and then “construction will begin,” emphasised José Manuel Bolieiro.

The project aims to connect the various regional and municipal roads that run radially to the town of Madalena, creating a bypass to the urban area, ensuring better access to the Health Centre, port and airport,  and contributing to improved safety conditions and quality of life for the population.

The bypass to be built is approximately 1.6 kilometres long and includes 6 roundabout intersections linking to existing roads. The new road will connect two sections of the Regional Road no.1-2, starting at Rua General António Ribeiro, intersecting the Regional Road no.3-2, running close to the Vila da Madalena Health Centre and ending at Rua Carlos Dabney.

The project calls for the construction of a ring road with urban features, the construction of a bicycle lane and pavements, and the landscaping of the roadsides and surrounding areas.

The cross-section of the new bypass has a total width of 17.40 m and consists of a 2.40 m wide pavement, interspersed with troughs for trees, a 2.20 m wide two-way bicycle lane on the left side of the cross-section, a dual carriageway of 3.50 m wide each, plus 1.00 m road verges on each side, bordered by ditches and a 2.50 m wide green area on the right.

The project includes earthworks, drainage infrastructures, 
paving works, placement of road and safety signs, installation of public lighting, ancillary works and landscape integration.

GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU