The bridge over the Maçãs River has been designated as a priority infrastructure investment according to Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 69/2025 from March 10. The Ministry of Infrastructure has tasked Infraestruturas de Portugal, S.A. with proceeding with the necessary studies and actions to realize this project.
Financial allocations for the development of the bridge over the Maçãs River, located on the National Road 218 (EN218), have been published in the Official Gazette. The project is set to receive public funding amounting to 500,000 euros in 2025, eight million euros in 2026, 14.5 million euros in 2027, and seven million euros in 2028.
The government’s publication underscores the importance of territorial organization and strengthening national cohesion, highlighting the state’s essential role in correcting regional disparities and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their place of residence.
For António Santos, the president of the Vimioso City Council, this decision marks the fulfillment of a 30-year aspiration for the residents of Vimioso and neighboring municipalities such as Miranda do Douro, Mogadouro, and Freixo de Espada à Cinta. The goal is a quicker and safer connection to Bragança and the Transmontana Highway (A4).
“I met with officials from Infraestruturas de Portugal on Wednesday, and I am convinced that we have reached a point of no return. The idea of this connection began to take shape in 1998 with the proposal for a route on the left bank of the Sabor River, linking Vimioso to Outeiro, which was not approved due to various environmental opinions concerning the presence of the Cabrera vole colony,” recalled Santos, a Social Democrat.
António Santos noted that access routes to the bridge are confirmed as “Infraestruturas de Portugal is diligently working on this bridge project, including its accesses.”
“It is necessary to address some issues, particularly regarding road safety for this infrastructure. There are some non-compliances, which I was informed will be easily resolved in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR),” he added.
The Vimioso mayor expressed an “absolute guarantee” that an international tender for the execution of this work will be launched by the beginning of the first half of 2026.
“The 500,000 euros allocated for 2025 will be used for payments to designers making the requested safety corrections by the ANSR. The eight million euros planned for 2026 are for executing the work, along with the 14.5 million euros for 2027. According to what was communicated in the meeting with Infraestruturas de Portugal, the project is scheduled to commence in January,” assured António Santos.
He emphasized that the project has been delayed for 30 years, but he now believes that regardless of who governs the country, there will be no setbacks for this “vital project” for the Mirandese Plateau and the district of Bragança.
In March 2009, road construction in the area was halted due to the presence of a Cabrera vole colony, which is protected by the European Union. The government at the time abandoned this particular option in favor of constructing the bridge over the Maçãs River and its respective accesses, due to “numerous environmental constraints.”
In December 2022, the then Minister for Territorial Cohesion, Ana Abrunhosa, confirmed the “possibility of financing” the Vimioso-Carção link, including the bridge, as it represents an exceptional case for transboundary road connections.
