Bridge to Faro Island was “most complex project carried out this century in the Algarve,” Faro mayor Rogério Bacalhau says
Afters years in the pipeline, the new modern bridge to Faro Island (known in Portuguese as Ilha de Faro or Praia de Faro) is set to be inaugurated on Sunday, January 12.
Mayor Rogério Bacalhau confirmed the bridge will become operational immediately after the inauguration ceremony, which is expected to feature a government representative. Despite some unfinished details, like the installation of LED lighting that is still underway, Bacalhau assured residents that these are minor issues that won’t affect the bridge’s functionality.
Bacalhau – who will step down as mayor on Monday to take the top job at regional water company Águas do Algarve – has highlighted the importance of the new bridge, which will facilitate access to Faro’s cherished island, currently only accessible via a narrow one-lane bridge that caused bottlenecks and frustrations for both locals and visitors.
“It is one of the most requested projects by the people of Faro for many years, and thus I think it is a big achievement for all of us,” the outgoing mayor told Lusa news agency.
During his 12-year run as mayor, Bacalhau completed “hundreds of projects in the borough”, from road improvements and the opening of the new municipal kennel to the upgrade of the Alameda Garden. However, the opening of the new bridge stands out as the “most emblematic, important and complex” project completed during his leadership.
“I am convinced this project is the most complex carried out this century in the Algarve, given the kind of project it is and its location in the Ria Formosa,” he said, explaining that much care was needed as the bridge was built in the heart of a protected and beloved wetland.
All works were carried out alongside regional and national institutions, from the Algarve Regional Development and Coordination Commission (CCDR Algarve) and University of the Algarve to the Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) and Institute of Nature and Forest Conservation (ICNF).
“It was a high-complexity project which was completed practically within its deadline,” said Bacalhau, adding that the two to three-month delay was “not significant” as there were small adjustments that had to be made throughout the bridge’s construction.
“I think it went very well, we all deserve congratulations, especially the contractor who carried out the works with great diligence,” the mayor added.
The old bridge will be decommissioned immediately after the new one opens, marking the end of an era for Praia de Faro.
