The project for the bicycle path on Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, in front of the University Stadium and the Santa Maria Hospital, is already known with the publication of the public tender by EMEL. Proposals are being accepted until October 4th.
The cycle paths on Avenida Lusíada and Avenida dos Combatentes will be continued and will finally go to the Avenida Professor Egas MonizIt is located in front of the University Stadium and Santa Maria Hospital. In the future, there should be a connection to Alameda da Universidade. The public tender for the construction of this section of bike lane was launched in September by EMEL and is accepting bids until October 4. The contract could be launched depending on the outcome of the procedure, its award and, of course, the new executive.
The connection between the existing cycle paths on Avenida dos Combatentes and Avenida Lusíada will be made through a large two-way cycling junction. From here, it will be possible to reach the cycle path on Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, which will be bidirectional from the University Stadium side. In one part of the section, in front of this sports facility, there will be a shared walkway (pedestrian and cycling) with a comfortable sidewalk.
The construction of the cycle path will maintain the number of lanes per directionThis decision was based on an analysis of traffic volumes and the importance of Avenida Professor Egas Moniz on the municipal road network map. Only on the stretch between Avenida Professor Gama Pinto and the Hospital will there be just one lane instead of two for general traffic, since the second lane will be reserved for public transport. A cycle path will pass through the parking spaceThis will mean a reduction from 54 to 29 car spaces. Two motorcycle pockets will be reduced to one closer to the entrance to Santa Maria Hospital.
The description states that "a series of field tests were carried out, simulating profiles, during the months of October and November" 2020, "having been unanimous that the solution with the best balance in the cost-benefit analysis is a bidirectional bike path on Avenida Professor Egas Moniz“. The project for the section of the cycle path was drawn up on the premise that a link to the cycle paths on Lusíada and Combatentes had to be promoted, safeguarding access to the hospital, the circulation of public transport and the "road flow capacity and accumulation at traffic lights".
In the design of the intersection that will connect the cycle paths on Avenida Lusíada, Avenida dos Combatentes and the future cycle path on Avenida Professor Egas Moniz the "Dutch crossbreeding" model was adopted and adaptedwhich could be used, unchanged, for the future cycle path planned for Azinhaga das Galhardas."Cycle crossings are placed inside the junction, protecting pedestrian crossings, and at the corner of the junction a car length is left whenever possible so that it can cross the cycle lane already at 90º, increasing the visibility of motorists in relation to cyclists and pedestrians crossing the junction. Placing the cycle lane inside the junction significantly reduces the level of conflict between pedestrians and cyclists. At the same time, it reduces the crossing distance and allows cycling routes to flow more smoothly, especially those that require a change of direction, always in the best possible coordination with traffic lights.", reads the descriptive memory.
You can find the full documentation on this cycle path below. O "CP 27/21 - Public works contract for the construction of a section of cycle path on Avenida Professor Egas Moniz" is receiving bids until October 4th. This will be followed by an analysis of the bids, the selection of the winning bid and the award of the contract, if everything goes as it usually does in public procurement processes.
