The mayor, Marco Almeida (PSD), signed the process for the elaboration of the execution project for the Western Ring Road to Cacém, allowing the connection between the A16 motorway (Mira Sintra junction), the IC19 (Paiões junction), the Catholic University campus and the National Road 249-3 (Paço de Arcos Road).

“We are investing in Sintra's mobility. This long-awaited project connects Rio de Mouro, Cacém-São Marcos, and Agualva-Mira Sintra, allowing us to remove car traffic from the centres of these parishes,” stated Marco Almeida, in a statement sent to Lusa.

The procedure allows us to move forward with the execution, review, and supervision of the road construction project which, according to the Social Democratic mayor, in a “first step, represents an investment of over 3 million euros”.

Overload

“Given the current traffic and the overload of the existing network, particularly on the EN249-3 and IC19, the execution of this project is considered urgent. It will allow us to redefine the road network and establish direct connections between the EN249-3, IC19, and A16, facilitating significant movements to and from Lisbon, Amadora, Odivelas, and Oeiras, without interfering with the lives of the population,” explains a note from the municipality.

The contracting of advisory services for the execution and review process of the project was finalized in 2023, and the proposal was completed in January of this year, still during the term of Basílio Horta (PS), having received a favourable opinion from the municipal services.

Studies

The studies and projects for the creation of the Western Ring Road to Cacém include section A, connecting the A16 (Mira Sintra junction) to the IC19; section B, widening the IC19 to introduce collector roads between the Paiões junction and Avenida das Descobertas; and section C, connecting the IC19 (Paiões junction) to the Catholic University and the EN249-3 (Paço de Arcos/Tagus Park road).

Along the projected route, the construction of two viaducts is planned, over the Oeste and Sintra railway lines, a tunnel under the Paiões junction of the IC19, and another viaduct in the Vale Mourão area for the Catholic University campus and the Paço de Arcos road.

The public tender for the preparation of the execution project includes the studies and reports necessary for the environmental assessment and procedural acts to obtain the environmental impact statement for the work.

“This is the first major project. The departments have already been instructed to ensure that the Saloia Ring Road, providing a proper connection to Mafra, also moves forward,” Marco Almeida stated in a note to Lusa, referring to the extension of the A16 motorway connection to the neighbouring municipality in the Oeste region.

The deadlines for completion of the work will depend on the progress of the process, namely, the public tenders for the project and for the execution of the contract.