A Third Bridge Over the Tagus and a Tunnel: Potential New Crossings for Lisbon
The proposed third bridge over the Tagus and a tunnel between Trafaria and Algés could significantly enhance mobility between the two banks of the Lisbon metropolitan area. But what do we know so far about these major infrastructures?
The New Bridge
With the decision to build a new airport in Alcochete, the advancement of the highly anticipated Third Crossing of the Tagus (TTT) has also been established. This new bridge will connect Chelas to Barreiro, located between the two existing crossings. The construction of this infrastructure is primarily driven by the need for a fast rail connection between the capital and the future airport, alongside high-speed projects between Lisbon and Porto. The Vasco da Gama Bridge, built in 1998, was designed with only a road deck, while the 25 de Abril Bridge is currently the only rail connection between the two banks of the Tagus, which has reached its capacity.
The government had initially considered a purely rail bridge, but the current proposal is to combine train and road traffic. This is advocated by Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP), which was commissioned by the government of LuĂs Montenegro to study the future crossing. However, the road component of the TTT is controversial in public discourse, as it is expected to induce additional car trips towards Lisbon, a city already saturated with traffic, and it is projected to cost an additional âŹ600 million compared to a solely rail option.
Vasco da Gama Bridge (photo LPP)
New Rail Connections
The plan includes that the High-Speed Line (LAV), arriving at Carregado in 2032, will connect to the Gare do Oriente and proceed via the new bridge to the future LuĂs de CamĂ”es Airport. This connection is crucial as it aims to reduce travel time between Porto and Lisbon to 1 hour and 15 minutes and between Lisbon and Madrid to just 3 hours starting in 2034, benefiting the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.
The Trafaria-Algés Tunnel
West of the 25 de Abril Bridge, a immersed tunnel between Trafaria in Almada and AlgĂ©s in Oeiras is proposed. This idea is not new but has been a longstanding request from local authorities, particularly from the President of Almada, InĂȘs de Medeiros. This tunnel would facilitate the integration of the light rail system (MTS) connecting Almada and Seixal to the northern bank of the river.
Trafaria Beach with Algés in the background (photo LPP)
Controversies and Environmental Concerns
Environmentalists, represented by the ZERO association, have criticized the proposed road infrastructure, stating that it could exacerbate climate risks by increasing road capacity. They argue that the focus should be on reducing individual car use and enhancing public transport rather than investing in new road constructions.
Conclusion
While the discussions continue around these significant projects, the need for effective planning and sustainable solutions remains critical. The potential of the Tagus River as a transport link has yet to be fully realized, highlighting the importance of strategic investment in public transport alternatives to ease the pressure on existing infrastructure.
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