January 2014 sees the return of over 700 kilometers of roads to the direct management of Estradas de Portugal as a result of the renegotiation of contracts with various concession holders.
This move is said to represent a saving of €47 million over the next three years.
Estradas de Portugal said that these changes are as a result of agreements with the concession holders hammered out last year.
"The transfer of these roads that were formerly part of the subconcession contracts involve roads along the West Coast, Pinhal Interior, Transmontana, Alentejo, the Algarve and Baixo Tejo and will allow the company to achieve a saving in contracted maintenance costs," said the company.
Worryingly, the savings are from the contracted maintenance costs so road users are duly warned to expect a further decline in Portugal’s infrastructure.
