River Ave retaining wall in Republic Square to be finished in October
The reconstruction of the River Ave retaining wall at Republic Square, in Vila do Conde, is due for completion in October. The assurance came from the Mayor, Vítor Costa, during a recent site visit. The contract is budgeted at €1.8 million, and the mayor is now hoping the initial state contribution of €750,000 will be increased.
From the first collapses to an urgent direct award
The first stones from the wall-now more than a century old-began falling in July 2020. Vegetation was growing between the stones, there were large cracks and even a noticeable lean in the seawall. At the time, fearing a collapse, the council closed off access.
Although responsibility lay with Docapesca, no intervention took place. By the end of 2022, the municipality signed a protocol with the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). Under the agreement, the council would produce the design-together with the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto-and would also procure and deliver the works, with APA supervising and co-financing.
A public tender was launched in July 2025 but attracted no bids. Toward the end of the year, severe weather and an especially wet winter worsened the wall’s condition. There were fears of a breach, with the river overtopping, the garden being destroyed and water reaching nearby homes. The council therefore opted to proceed via a direct award for what it described as an “urgent and unavoidable” project.
Complexity of the site and the funding already secured
“It's a complex project. We have to stabilise the square, along with the power and current of the river and the fact that Republic Square is more than two centuries old. This is a centenary wall,” Vítor Costa stressed. He added that the wall’s closeness to the bridge over the River Ave, immediately beside it, made the operation even more delicate, requiring a favourable opinion from Infraestruturas de Portugal.
Overall, the works are costed at €1.8 million. APA has confirmed €750,000 from the Environmental Fund, but Vítor Costa wants that figure to be reviewed to reflect the actual investment made.
Construction progress: piles, drainage, stone facing and granite paving
Work has been under way since March and is governed by the tides, because much of the reinforcement of the foundations is carried out almost in the water. In total, 146 piles were installed, to an average depth of 24 metres.
At this stage, the stormwater drainage network is already being refurbished and the new wall is being built. At a later phase, it will be faced with the century-old stones.
At surface level, the finish will be a granite slab pavement, arranged in a similar style to the solution used further along at the access to the small leisure marina.
In a second phase, the mayor explained, the garden will be restored. It will keep its original design and will be added to the route of the Portuguese Association of Historic Gardens.
Other projects
Games Park: sports pitch and children’s play area
The tennis courts at the Games Park are finished. The four courts-now sized to meet the requirements for official competitions-along with all accessibility works, cost €460,000. Construction will soon begin on the sports pitch, which will have synthetic turf, and immediately afterwards on the children’s play area. This next package will add a further €500,000. Everything is expected to be finished in October.
€2.6 million to refurbish the Modivas school
At the former EB1 of Igreja school, in Modivas, only the structural frame remains. Since September, the 60 pupils have been taught in temporary facilities. The new school will include four primary classrooms, two pre-school rooms, a multipurpose room, a library, a canteen, work rooms, two children’s play areas, a small sports pitch, a learning vegetable garden, a playground area and two covered spaces. It is scheduled for completion in February 2027.
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