The construction of the Ferreirinha Bridge, part of the Metro do Porto’s Rubi Line development, is progressing with the completion of the foundations of key pillars and the supports that will hold the deck. Engineer Pedro Araújo, the contract manager for the project, confirmed the progress, stating that simpler pillars and connections are either completed or nearing completion. “We aim to soon begin the construction of the deck—specifically the first section on the Gaia side, which will have the lowest altitude to the ground,” Araújo explained.
From the construction site at Campo Alegre Station, the next steps for the project involve the occupation of the river Douro for the construction of temporary pillars to aid the bridge construction and plans to commence raising the primary pillars. “Each phase will proceed sequentially. As soon as we move beyond the foundations with the main pillars, more of the work will become visible, and this summer, the changes in the landscape will become more noticeable,” Araújo detailed. He affirmed that the project will continue at its scheduled pace through 2026 and into 2027.
Addressing the timeline, a Metro do Porto official highlighted that though the final deadline is set for the end of 2026, minor structural finishes on the bridge could extend into 2027. Pedro Araújo acknowledged the challenging nature of these deadlines. “We do not conceal the difficulty; we do everything possible to pursue this goal and will continue to do so until the end,” he emphasized.
In February, Tiago Braga, President of Metro do Porto, stated that conditions could allow for some level of operation on the Rubi Line by the end of 2026. The Metro is preparing for various scenarios, including complete extension or partial operation between blocks.
During visits to three stages of the project—Campo Alegre, Arrábida, and Rotunda Edgar Cardoso—details of the Campo Alegre phase revealed plans to excavate a tunnel to Casa da Música once the station’s conditions are ready, expected within a few months. Meanwhile, in Gaia, at Arrábida, which overlooks the river Douro, activities include surface-level work to rethink the existing transportation and pedestrian networks. “A new station at Arrábida will be surface-level with several containment and elevated structures already constructed,” said Araújo.
Addressing current traffic disruptions in Gaia, the Metro’s approach is to gradually clear the routes as parts of the work are completed, aiming for sustainable and almost permanent solutions without constant redirections. By 2025, some city areas will see relief, and by 2026, all will be restored as work reaches completion. By the Rotunda Edgar Cardoso, the expansion of the Candal Viaduct involves constructing both a new railway and road viaduct.
Excavations have revealed a future parking facility for about 500 vehicles at the Rotunda, now that 200,000 cubic meters of earth have been removed. The tunnel to Santo Ovídio is divided into two sections, starting from Devesas to Soares dos Reis and then to Santo Ovídio, with multiple underground fronts preparing to commence shortly, two in Gaia and one in Porto at Largo Ferreira Lapa.
In Gaia, one excavation front will begin at the Devesas Station, which is partially excavated and nearing the tunnel dome. Another front will open from completed shafts or those nearing completion at Rua Visconde das Devesas. Excavation between Soares dos Reis and Santo Ovídio will utilize a ventilation shaft for bidirectional digging, with another front starting at Santo Ovídio, where work is more advanced compared to Campo Alegre.
“The station excavation at Santo Ovídio is complete, and part of the false tunnel connecting the underground gallery is also finished,” Araújo noted. Building the structure has begun, with visible progress anticipated soon.
Spanning 6.4 kilometers with eight stations, the Rubi Line project includes the D. Antónia Ferreira Bridge—Ferreirinha Bridge—reserved for metro services, pedestrians, and bicycles. Planned stations in Gaia are Santo Ovídio, Soares dos Reis, Devesas, Rotunda, Candal, and Arrábida, while in Porto, they are Campo Alegre and Casa da Música. The entire project is slated for completion by the end of 2026.
