The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, João Ponte, awarded today the contract for the improvement of Matos de São João agricultural road in the municipality of Lajes do Pico, following the approval of the contract by the Court of Auditors.
 
The work, covering an extension of 1,925 metres, has a completion period of 120 days and is due to start next week. The Government has awarded the contract work to the company Afavias Açores for the price of 685 thousand Euros.
 
This contract work intends to consolidate the stability of the existing road, including the stabilisation of slopes, the contractions of concrete ditches and aqueducts with the aim of improving the drainage system, paving and road safety conditions.
 
Bearing in mind that this rural road is a crucial route for agricultural and tourism activities, this work is of great importance for the island of Pico as it will benefit 87 hectares of pastures, distributed by 22 farms, and a total of 28. Moreover, it will also provide access to 46 hectares of forest area.
 
This road also establishes the connection between the Regional Road no.1-2 in the hamlet of Companhia de Baixo, village of S. João, and the Regional Road no.2-2 near the junction with Rural Road no.35 in Cabecinhos, and intersects along the route with Rural Road no.48 in São Caetano. It provides access to Mistério de São João Recreational Forest Reserve, downstream, and to Rural Road no.82 in Pico da Urze. The latter allows access to the Mountain upstream and, for that reason; it has registered an increasing use by tourists.