The Trancão cyclopedestrian bridge is finished and (temporarily) open.
The cycling and pedestrian bridge over the Trancão River has been inaugurated and opened, establishing, for the first time, a connection between the riverside banks of Lisbon and Loures. The bridge, made of steel and wood, will allow people to reach Vila Franca de Xira by bike or on foot when the new Loures River Path is ready. For now, it will serve World Youth Day and the thousands of pilgrims expected between August 1 and 6.
While the Journey does not start, the bridge will be available for the population to use. Although it does not yet have an exit on the Loures side, the new infrastructure already allows you to enjoy a new view of the Trancão estuary, as well as of the riverbanks of the two municipalities.
With a total length of 280 meters and an average width of 5.5 meters, the bridge connects the cycling and pedestrian networks of the municipalities of Lisbon and Loures, contributing to a more interconnected metropolitan area. When Loures finishes its Waterfront Trail - a system of wooden walkways along the banks of the Tagus - it will be possible to reach Vila Franca de Xira, where there are already several cycle and pedestrian paths along the river. However, according to the Loures City Hall, the walkways should only open after the World Youth Day, in mid-August.
The inauguration of the Trancão cyclopedestrian bridge was attended by the mayors of Lisbon and Loures, Carlos Moedas and Ricardo Leão, the Cardinal Patriarch, Manuel Clemente, and the President of the World Youth Day Foundation, Américo Aguiar. This is the first work to be completed for World Youth Day. It resulted from a 4.1 million euro investment, co-financed with European funds, and carried out by EMEL and the municipality of Lisbon.
O The material with which it was built, mostly wood-based, but also with steel structures, makes this bridge a piece well integrated in the surrounding environment. At the same time, its construction has contributed to the rehabilitation of this part of the city, facing the Tagus River, where the Tagus Park is being extended to serve as the main venue for the Day. For now and in the future, the bridge will provide a connection of three natural elements: the green space in the Lisbon area, the Trancão River, and the new green area in the Loures area, enhancing in a sustainable way this whole vast riverside area.
Increased GIRA station
On the impulse of the World Youth Day and the new public space that is being built next to the Trancão, other infrastructures have been created in that area. This is the case with GIRA station #115, the closest to the new bridge and the Journey venue; this station was increased from 12 to 28 docks. Also the Sacavém train station, which serves the municipality of Loures and the northern part of Parque das Nações, received improvement worksThe project will include the creation of a new access, a parking lot, and resting areas.
