After a short return to normality in traffic flow between Nov 28th and Dec 2nd on the Ponte Nova, which connects Portimão and Lagoa, temporary traffic lights were turned on again, causing traffic jams again.
On Thursday, the 28th, traffic stopped alternating and began to flow without any restrictions in both directions. However, on the morning of Monday, December 2nd, the traffic lights were turned on again and traffic began to alternate, taking drivers by surprise and causing large traffic jams.
The mayor of Lagoa, Luís Encarnação, says that the information he obtained from the company responsible for the works, Rotas do Algarve Litoral, is that the return to restricted traffic was due to the need to carry out further work on the bridge's cables.
The mayor was told that “by the end of this week, this situation will be overcome and vehicles will be able to circulate in both directions without any restrictions”. Luís Encarnação says he hopes that this information is confirmed, as “next Monday, December 9th, Lagoa City Council will begin works on Rua Infante de Sagres, in Parchal”.
This is the communication route that provides access to the Ponte Velha, so it will be a very complicated situation for motorists if these two works take place at the same time, affecting access to both bridges.
