A contract exceeding 1.6 billion euros has been signed between Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) and the AVAN Norte consortium, previously LusoLAV, which includes firms such as Mota-Engil, Teixeira Duarte, Alves Ribeiro, Casais, Conduril, and Gabriel Couto. The contract references “surface components of the Gaia Station (Santo Ovídio)” and the “roadway component of the bridge,” both to be maintained by IP as stated in the initial clauses.
The concession contract includes annexes about the “bridge,” mentioned in singular form, and the “Preliminary Program of Gaia Station (Santo Ovídio).” These documents, meant to be included in today’s publication, have not yet been released, aside from those outlined in the terms of reference.
On September 1, the AVAN Norte consortium disclosed plans to suggest a location south of Santo Ovídio for the high-speed Gaia station, along with two bridges over the Douro River rather than one combined road-rail bridge, differing from the contract’s terms unveiled today.
The consortium was queried about confirming the alternative station location at Guardal de Cima in Vilar do Paraíso and its commitment to funding a link to Porto’s Metro, specifically with the Rubi line, a proposal made in April. However, no responses were provided.
The newly published contract contains a chapter dedicated to the “Gaia Station (Santo Ovídio) Project,” specifying that both preliminary and execution project plans, along with their presentation by the concessionaire to the grantor, must meet the technical and functional requirements set forth in Annex 5 and adhere to the physical boundaries detailed in Annex 1.
Additionally, the “preparation of both preliminary and execution designs for the bridge, along with its submission by the concessionaire to the grantor, must comply with the specifications and technical requirements listed in Annex 5.”
The document also mentions that the layout should align with current urban and developmental plans, or those in the process of being approved or licensed, including “detailed plans.”
A Detailed Plan for Santo Ovídio in Gaia, assigned to Catalan urban architect Joan Busquets as part of the high-speed project, necessitated a halt on constructions until its review is complete.
The establishment of Gaia’s high-speed station and the proposed road-rail bridge over the Douro were planned since September 2022, during the project’s initial presentation.
On September 2, Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz expressed unawareness of the consortium’s alternate proposal for Gaia Station and the two-bridge solution but emphasized the necessity for legal and juridical clarity on the matter.
Following the project’s award in October 2024, where the consortium released a video showcasing the Santo Ovídio station and a road-rail bridge, an alternative proposal emerged in April, suggesting a new station location in Vilar do Paraíso and two bridges instead of one.
On April 16, the government reiterated that any potential changes must comply with legal standards, align fully with the tender’s requirements, and gain municipal approval, noting that the project’s foundation lies in the consortium’s bid solution, approved by IP, featuring a Santo Ovídio station linked to Porto Metro’s Yellow Line and a single bridge.
