After years of concern over the safety of the ‘old bridge’ between Parchal in Lagoa and Portimão, local authorities from both sides have announced that they consider building a new crossing over the River Arade “fundamental”.
“The riversides of both concelhos are connected by a bridge inaugurated in 1876, and we have been advised that a new link, built further south, would help mobility,” says José Inácio Marques, President of the Lagoa Câmara. Portimão President, Manuel da Luz, confirmed that the existing Portimão Marina and the future Ferragudo Marina are being considered as the link points for the new bridge. “We have discussed this idea and, after the summer, we will take steps to put the idea into practice.”
Both leaders predict a long wait, as the project will have to be approved by various entities and, most importantly, will require financial support from the government, as neither câmara has the resources to finance the venture.
While Portimão already has a marina, Lagoa concelho’s project for a riverside promenade between Angrinha beach and the centre of Ferragudo has only just been approved – work is expected to begin soon. Next year, work will begin on the new marina, which will have 400 mooring berths and a five-star hotel.
Further into the future, the authorities plan to regenerate the entire riverside area between Ferragudo and Parchal. A câmara source confirmed that a ‘detailed plan’ of the riverside area that links the future marina site and the railway bridge over the Arade is already underway.
