High-Speed Rail Construction in Gaia Under Review with 130 Properties Marked for Demolition
The AVAN Norte consortium, tasked with building the high-speed rail line between Porto and Oiã, has confirmed that 130 properties in Vila Nova de Gaia are being analyzed for demolition. An administrator for the consortium, Eduardo Pimentel, provided the information to the Lusa news agency, noting that this number represents a decrease from the approximately 190 properties identified in the project's initial Environmental Impact Assessment.
According to Pimentel, the project's execution plan has been refined to lessen its impact on urban areas. He stated that the current design maintains all planned tunnels in consolidated urban zones and includes a minor deviation of the track in the Grijó parish. This adjustment was made within the environmentally approved corridor to prevent long-term disruption to a residential area. The consortium also noted that protective walls and other measures have been integrated into the plan to avoid the demolition of additional homes and industrial buildings.
The consortium is currently performing topographic surveys and measurements throughout Gaia. These activities are necessary for the completion of the Environmental Compliance Report of the Execution Project (RECAPE), which is scheduled for submission to the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) in September. Following the submission, the APA will initiate a public consultation period to allow local residents to review the project details and provide feedback. A public presentation of the project is also planned for the end of September.
The project has drawn criticism from local political figures. Last week, Luís Filipe Menezes, a candidate for mayor of Gaia, described the survey work as an act of disrespect to the community and its elected officials, particularly during a pre-electoral period. Earlier, on August 5, the current Socialist mayoral candidate, João Paulo Correia, had informed Lusa that the consortium was planning for 135 demolitions within the municipality.
The contract for the first phase of the high-speed rail line was signed on July 29. The overall project includes the construction of a new transport hub in Santo Ovídio, Gaia, and a new bridge crossing the Douro River. The high-speed connection is expected to reduce the travel time between Porto and Lisbon to one hour and fifteen minutes, with the service projected to be operational by 2032. The line will also include stops in Aveiro, Coimbra, and Leiria, significantly enhancing Portugal's national transport infrastructure.
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