The new crossing, which is around 1.95 kilometres long, links the EN203 at Deocriste with the EN202 at Nogueira and represents an investment of more than €21 million.

The bridge opens at 10 am, following the completion of the licensing process and the necessary safety checks.

Symbolic inauguration

The date was chosen to coincide with Viana do Castelo's municipal holiday, celebrated in honour of Nossa Senhora d'Agonia and during one of the most important periods of the year for the city.

There will not, however, be a formal inauguration today.

Viana do Castelo Mayor Luís Nobre announced during a council meeting that Thursday's opening would be symbolic, with the official inauguration planned for September in the presence of Government representatives.

The project was financed through Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and is intended to improve connections within the municipality and provide an alternative route for traffic.

Travel times

The new road begins close to the Torre football ground and includes changes to the roundabout, providing access to the Nogueira business area and the A27 motorway towards Ponte de Lima.

Viana do Castelo Council has previously highlighted the importance of the new crossing for local businesses, as it improves connections between business areas on opposite sides of the Lima River.

The municipality also expects the new route to improve everyday mobility and reduce travel times for people moving between the two sides of the river.

Construction of the bridge was completed at the end of July. At that point, the council said it was waiting for the necessary audit and safety certification before the road could open to traffic.

Transport network

The project has faced delays along the way. Archaeological work carried out in the Lima River contributed to delays, which Mayor Luís Nobre said resulted in additional costs of around €400,000.

The new bridge is the fourth crossing of the Lima River in the Viana do Castelo area and adds another road connection to the existing transport network.

The project forms part of wider investment in road infrastructure in the municipality, alongside the new access road to the Vale do Neiva business area, which is also receiving PRR funding.