The Algarve’s already crammed EN125 is to be cut between Maritenda and Fontainhas, a ten kilometre stretch, due to roadworks.
One reason for the complete closure is to repair the road spanning the Linha do Algarve railway line to the east of Boliqueime with the upgrade work meaning that the Algarve’s busiest section of the so called ‘alternative to the Via do Infante motorway' will be closed to traffic until at least July 15th - right in the height of the tourist season.
The second reason offered is to repair the lights at the busy Fontainhas (Ferreiras) EN125 junction where the western cut off point is located.
The road will be shut down early on Monday 9th May and the roads company, Infraestruturas de Portugal, has suggested a pleasant countryside route that wimbles to the south of the EN125 to get around the road works. Drivers are advised to take a packed lunch, an iPad loaded with games and to check their car water levels and air-conditioning.
Drivers of course can opt for the Via do Infante motorway route where full tolls will continue to be charged in a seamless service designed to cause the maximum inconvenience at the highest cost.
The work at the railway bridge will only be at night as trains use the track during the daytime. Both services are run by Infraestruturas de Portugal so at least this may be coordinated despite little else subject to any sort of coherent plan.
The diversion along country roads, which "will be properly marked" but are so restricted that HGVs will not be able to navigate them safely, or indeed at all at the railway bridge near the Kadoc nightclub unless under 2.1 metres in height. HGV drivers are being told to use the motorway for a couple of months, again at the full toll rate.
As for residents of properties along the closed section of road, no advice has been offered by Infraestruturas de Portugal, nor has it explained why it is carrying out road works in the peak summer season when it said that it "would not be carrying out road works in the peak summer season."
The road company has admitted more recently that there would be a few road works in the summer but “they would not upset normal traffic circulation” which, if not a lie at the time, has been proved to be wildly incorrect.
Skillfully, the news of the EN125 disruption was not made available by the public company Infraestruturas de Portugal until after the tolls debate in parliament last Friday, thus giving the Socialist Pary an easier ride in maintaining tolls until after the summer when they promise to reduce toll rates, but only for journeys along the entire motorway without exiting.
This EN125 closure news has given motorists one weekend over which to alter their travel plans, arrange additional childcare hours for many workers and prepare for an early summer of total chaos.
