The imminent threat of a “major landslide” has led to the closure of the A24 motorway in both directions between the Valdigem and Lamego junctions in Viseu district, Lamego City Council announced today.
“This is the only possible decision, given the evidence of a serious and imminent risk of further landslides, with the possibility of earth and rock being projected onto the highway and the potential collapse of the A24 motorway,” the municipality explained in a statement published around 8pm this evening on Facebook.
Earlier today, the road was already closed in the North-South direction ‘as a precaution’.
“Following a technical inspection of the embankments and the imminent risk of a large-scale landslide,” authorities decided to proceed with complete closure.
According to Lamego City Council, “given this scenario, keeping the road open would be irresponsible and would put all road users at risk.”
On Sunday morning, a new technical inspection of the site will be carried out by geotechnical specialists to reassess safety conditions.
The local authority also said that concession holder Norscut “is already preparing to mobilise resources for an urgent intervention”.
“As soon as conditions allow, traffic will be restored,” the council assures, adding that “alternative routes will be signposted, which will be adjusted according to the evolution of the situation and any subsequent constraints that may arise.”
Lamego City Council stresses that “the situation is very serious“, adding that “it is being constantly monitored,” always putting people’s safety first.
The inference of this report is that this is yet another consequence of the effects of Storm Kristin which hit the Portuguese mainland in the early hours of Wednesday.
Source: LUSA
