“At this moment, calculations are still being done by the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering; they are not finished, so the work has not started yet, but we expect that it can start in January or February,” stated the Mayor of Lisbon.
Carlos Moedas addressed journalists after the ceremony marking the commencement of the excavation works by the H2O tunneling machine for the second PGDL tunnel, which will connect Beato to Chelas over a one-kilometer stretch.
The mayor emphasized the significance of the project, asking Lisbon residents to understand that the Lisbon Metro will be inoperative for about six months between the Terreiro do Paço and Santa Apolónia stations.
“Currently, the work that has to be done is being executed with every detail by the LNEC. It’s a very delicate project because the tunnel runs close to the metro tunnel. Obviously, during this work, the station from Santa Apolónia to Terreiro do Paço will be closed,” he explained.
The social democrat noted that all mobility alternatives will be provided through public transport, such as Carris, “so that people can get around.”
“We cannot endanger anyone. We can’t have the metro running during such a delicate work. That would be impossible, so yes, the metro will be closed when the work begins,” he reiterated.
Despite being close to the CP — Comboios de Portugal station in Santa Apolónia, the train service will remain operational, according to Carlos Moedas.
The first PGDL tunnel, connecting Campolide to Santa Apolónia, began construction in December 2023 and was completed on July 22 of this year. Previously, despite delays, it was anticipated that the second tunnel would be completed by the end of 2026.
The initial calendar for PGDL estimated its total completion by February 2025.
With a total investment of around 250 million euros, the PGDL – first announced in 2006 but only moving forward in 2015 with Fernando Medina (PS) at the helm of the municipality – is regarded as a crucial project to tackle flooding in the capital. However, the major interventions, particularly the tunnel construction, only began in 2023 under the presidency of Carlos Moedas (PSD).
The project includes an investment of 79 million euros for 2025.
The two tunnels will capture water collected from two high points (Monsanto and Chelas), as well as additional collection points along the route – notably Avenida da Liberdade, Rua de Santa Marta, and Avenida Almirante Reis – directing the water flow to the receiving area, the Tagus River (in Santa Apolónia and Beato), according to information on the PGDL website.
