Plans to launch Portugal’s very own ‘Route 66’, more correctly known as the EN2, has taken their first hesitant steps with the setting up of an association – an essential move in all parts of Portuguese life.
The route from Faro in the south to Chaves in the north of Portugal runs through 32 council areas and 31 mayors have agreed that an ‘Association of Municipalities of the National Highway 2 Route’ should be formed to coordinate things and have stated that this will be completed before the end of the first week of November.
Luis Machado, Mayor of Santa Marta de Penaguião and leader of the EN2 tourism project, said today that the constitution of this association represents the final stage of the first phase of this project.
This is the longest route in the country, 738.5 kilometers, and the third longest road in the world after America’s ‘Route 66’ and Argentina’s Route 40.
Parliament has even discussed how best to attract tourists and businesses with MPs full of praise for the idea but concerned for the people living close to the road if it becomes too busy.
The mayor of the Vila Real said that the adoption of two draft resolutions in parliament is a "recognition of a two years work" by the councils.
Luis Machado said the fact that parliament has backed the scheme means that the new association can now apply with confidence for European funds, to what end he did not explain.
The road runs through some varied countryside and Machado explained that the goal is "to proceed with a dynamic design for this historic road that will guide visitors on a journey through the country.
“The idea is that people who drive the route have the same kind of reception in all the council areas and have access to information about accommodations, restaurants and local products.”
Machado believes that the EN2 route will help "create wealth in the territories it crosses, will help to show the culture, gastronomy and local products, even to attract new residents."
"If all goes well at the end of this year we will be organised and start to make the necessary investments in order to make the route safe and comfortable and more attractive to fans of this type of tourism."
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