The Tavira Chamber issued a public clarification pointing to the months of October or November to begin the construction of the new bridge over the Almargem stream, when the material supply period that the company responsible for the assembly has in progress ends.

“It is expected that the new bridge will be assembled between October and November,” the municipality announced, adding that the dismantling of the old structure south of Estrada Nacional 125, which has collapsed, is underway.

Although the bridge was closed due to structural problems, cyclists and hikers continued to cross the sloped and damaged wooden structure despite warnings and signs.

The municipality recalled that, before awarding the contract, a “diagnosis of anomalies and recommendations for intervention measures” was made, resulting in a report.

The diagnosis pointed to “very poor safety conditions” in the structure and “recommended the dismantling and implementation of a new bridge”, a solution that was followed by the municipality, with the opening of an “urgent public tender”, added the municipality.

Last February, the Portuguese Federation of Cycling and Bicycle Users (FPCUB) criticized the Tavira Chamber for the delay in repairing the only pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Almargem stream, closed since 2017.

The then mayor, Jorge Botelho, who suspended his mandate on 23 August to join the PS list for the Faro circle in the upcoming legislative elections, told the Lusa agency at the time that he would not respond to criticism from the Federation.