Government instructs Infrastructure of Portugal (IP) to advance priority road projects, including the Algés/Trafaria link

James H. Amos • August 28, 2026 06:14

On 10 March 2025, shortly before the Government collapsed, the Council of Ministers met and signed off a Resolution instructing Infrastructure of Portugal (IP) to press ahead with road schemes deemed a priority - including a study into a link between Trafaria and Algés.

In a statement, the Government said it intended to advance around 30 priority road-infrastructure projects across Portugal. According to the official note, “the aim is to continue the study of new routes, taking into account the plans and programmes already defined and followed in this area - notably the National Road Plan and the National Investment Programme 2030. Finally, the intention is to intervene on roads within the existing road network, with a view to giving them adequate capacity, traffic conditions and safety.”

Funding options, including PPP

The Government did not set out how these works would be paid for, but it did say it would assess the option of using Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) to deliver the main road corridors.

Under this model, private companies fund the construction and upkeep of the roads and are then compensated. That compensation can include the introduction of tolls or direct payments from the State over a defined period.

What is planned?

IP8 (A26) and IP3 works

The plan includes increasing capacity on the IP8 (A26), building on investments already made along the Sines–Beja route, with the aim of creating a dual carriageway link as far as Beja. It also provides for construction of the IP3 between Souselas and Viseu, which entails duplicating the section between Santa Comba Dão and Viseu (works that are expected to start this month).

Road upgrades and widening

In addition, the following roads are set to be upgraded and widened:

EN/ER128: Bridge over the River Maçãs;
Link between EN101 and EN14 (Infias junction);
Access to the Alfarelos rail freight terminal from the EN341;
EN222 (Bateiras – São João da Pesqueira);
IC2 between Pombal and Rendinha;
EN307 (Terras de Bouro);
EN233 (Guarda – Sabugal);
Link between the IC35 and EN106 in Rans;
IC8 (Pombal – Vila Velha de Ródão);
Upgrade of the EN224-1 section;
Link from the Lordelo–Codal Road to the A32 junction.

Bypasses and priority corridors (including the Algés/Trafaria link)

The programme also lists the following bypasses:

EN210 bypass;
Delivery of the second section of the Tâmega Route between Corgo and Arco do Baúlhe (A7);
Completion of the bypass connection to the EN326 between Santa Maria da Feira and Arouca;
Works on the EN201 and the bypass to the EN101 in Vila Verde.

Among the routes classed as most important are:

Cross-border IC31 link (Castelo Branco – Monfortinho);
The IC35 (Sever do Vouga – A25);
IC6 (Tábua – Folhadosa);
Completion of the A13/IC3 corridor, including the sections between Vila Nova da Barquinha (A23) and Almeirim, and between Coimbra and the IP3;
The connection from the IP2 (Trancoso) to the A24 (Lamego area), through delivery of the IC26;
The IC9 (Abrantes – Ponte Sor);
The IC11 section in Lourinhã;
IC13 linking Montijo, Coruche, Mora, Ponte Sor and Alter do Chão;
IP2 built to motorway standard between Portalegre and Estremoz;
Study of the Algés/Trafaria link;
The Aveiro – Águeda Road Corridor, also treated as a priority because it is part of the PRR, and which will be redesignated as EN 235 once construction is complete.

As for schemes already included in the PRR (Recovery and Resilience Plan), the Government says it plans to reprogramme them and secure the funding conditions needed to deliver: the IC35 (Rans and Entre-os-Rios); the EN222 bypass linking the A32 to Castelo de Paiva; the EN321-2 bypass in the Baião and Lodão area; and the EN103 bypass planned for the section between Vinhais and Bragança.

New Government?

With the current Government having fallen, and fresh elections still expected by mid-year, it remains to be seen whether the next Executive will keep these same projects - and whether it will give them the same level of priority.