Users of the Via do Infante motorway (A22) in the Algarve are warning that the road has reached an advanced state of deterioration, claiming that the increasingly worn surface now poses a growing threat to road safety.
Speaking to news agency Lusa, several motorists who travel daily along the A22 reported the presence of “cracks, uneven surfaces, and areas of severe degradation”, saying such conditions are making it harder to maintain proper control of vehicles.
Drivers sharing safety concerns say irregularities along several stretches of the motorway cause “constant vibrations” in vehicle suspension systems, a problem that becomes worse in wet weather, increasing driving risks and the likelihood of vehicles skidding off the road.
According to users, the poor state of the carriageway, combined with a substantial increase in traffic following the abolition of tolls on the motorway in January 2025, has contributed to what they describe as “growing insecurity” on the road.
Used daily by residents, tourists, and businesses alike, the condition of the surface is also raising concerns about regional mobility and the Algarve’s image as a tourist destination, particularly during peak travel periods.
“The deterioration has worsened day by day. It is no longer just a matter of comfort, it is a safety issue,” Joaquim Castanheira, a frequent user of the motorway, told Lusa journalists at the Loulé service area.
Castanheira, who runs a passenger transport company based in Armação de Pêra, said the worst sections are located “between Alcantarilha and the junction serving Faro Airport, in the Lagos–Vila Real de Santo António direction”.
Another daily user, Carlos Fernandes, said he had already experienced difficulties controlling his vehicle on several occasions.
“On numerous occasions I have felt the car become unstable because of the uneven surface, particularly on the most degraded stretches,” he said, reinforcing warnings about the heightened risk of accidents.
According to estimates provided by regional political figures, traffic on the A22 has increased by more than 30 per cent since tolls were removed, accelerating wear on infrastructure originally designed as an alternative to the National Road 125 (EN125).
Regional bodies and the Via do Infante Users’ Commission have been urging the Government to implement a regular maintenance plan, noting that signs of deterioration were already visible during the concession period, when tolls were still in force.
Motorists point to several main concerns: reduced driving comfort, particularly in lighter vehicles; the risk of mechanical damage such as premature tyre wear and suspension problems; and increased danger during overtaking manoeuvres.
In response to questions from press, Autoestrada do Algarve – Via do Infante, the motorway’s concessionaire, said it is complying with all obligations set out in its concession agreement with the Portuguese State.
The company stated that “all duties relating to conservation, maintenance, and inspection of the roadway” are being fulfilled under its management responsibilities.
The concessionaire referred further enquiries to the grantor’s representative, the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT), which Lusa was unable to reach for comment.
The Via Infante de Sagres crosses the Algarve from west to east and serves as the region’s principal road artery.
Source: LUSA
