The works, lasting 540 days, will improve safety, drainage, and road stability. The minister highlighted the region’s rapid growth and reaffirmed plans to complete the IC13 across the Portalegre district.

Portugal’s Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, has announced a €10 million investment to rehabilitate a 43-kilometre stretch of the National Road 2 (EN2) that runs through the municipalities of Abrantes, Ponte de Sor, and Avis. The project will be carried out by Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) and launched through an international public tender.

The minister made the announcement at the Ponte de Sor Municipal Aerodrome during the third day of his cross-country journey along EN2, which aims to assess the infrastructure needs of 35 municipalities between Chaves and Faro. Pinto Luz described the investment as “absolutely essential,” highlighting the area’s growing economic relevance.

“The aerodrome and the city of Ponte de Sor have experienced remarkable growth in terms of business activity, visibility, and contribution to national GDP. Infrastructure must keep pace with that development,” he stated.

According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, the rehabilitation will take place between kilometre markers 425 and 467.9. The works will focus on improving road safety and travel conditions, as the current state of the EN2 in this section is considered “unsatisfactory.”

Planned interventions include the reinforcement of pavement structure, drainage upgrades, slope stabilization, and the modernization of road signage and safety systems. Due to the scale of the project, the construction period is expected to last 540 days.

Pinto Luz also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the Complementary Itinerary 13 (IC13), which crosses the Portalegre district, in its entirety.

The EN2, often referred to as Portugal’s “Route 66,” is the country’s longest national road, spanning over 730 kilometres from Chaves to Faro. The minister’s ongoing trip along the route underscores the government’s goal of revitalising this key artery for regional connectivity and development.