The municipality has announced a project encompassing seven major interventions, including the construction of five vehicular overpasses and two pedestrian crossings in the parishes of Ribeira de Santarém, Peso, Vale de Santarém, Senhora da Saúde, and Vale de Figueira.
João Leite, the Mayor of Santarém, described the initiative on social media as a “historic investment” aimed at “enhancing safety, improving mobility, and boosting economic activity” in the region.
“In recent months, we have held several working meetings with IP and the government, pressing the government on the urgent need for these projects to be realized,” the mayor stated.
The investment is structured into two lots. Lot 1, budgeted at 21 million euros, includes the construction of two road viaducts: one over the Santana/Cartaxo halt and another in Vale de Santarém, both intended for vehicular traffic and the elimination of level crossings.
Lot 2, valued at 32.7 million euros, covers road viaducts in Peso, Santarém Station, and Senhora da Saúde, along with two pedestrian overpasses in Vale de Figueira.
The tenders are expected to be launched in September, pending the approval of the cost extension ordinance.
IP has confirmed that all execution projects are complete and community funds for the project have been secured.
This intervention is part of the Railway Safety Program, which aims to eliminate 155 level crossings nationwide and automate 79 more, striving to reduce accidents, noise levels, and operational costs across the rail network.
The mayor highlighted the project’s significance for “the quality of life of the population and the development of the territory.”
