The new alternative road to Rabo de Peixe should be concluded on April 2011 and it will essentially be an urban road, with sidewalks on both sides, a bike path and public lighting along the whole road. These “elements make this road even wider, also being an important asset to the dwellers and ensuring the safety of the drivers”, emphasised the Regional Secretary for Science, Technology and Equipment, when visiting the construction work yesterday morning.

The construction contract of this alternative road to Rabo de Peixe, adjudicated to the Azorean consortium Tecnovia-Açores, SA., Marques, SA. and Eng.º Luís Gomes, SA., represents an investment of about eight million Euros.

The new road is an alternative to the current regional road nº 1-1ª, that passes in the middle of the town of Rabo de Peixe. By constructing this alternative road, the traffic in the northern coast will be safer, easier and faster, also improving the safety of the town dwellers, for the main traffic will not be circulating in the centre of the town, as mentioned by the Regional Secretary after his visit to the construction work.

José Contente sustains that the alternative road to Rabo de Peixe is a fundamental infrastructure, “because it will bring a new spirit to the town dwellers and also more safety to those who circulate between the municipalities of Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande, also creating a faster connection between Ribeira Grande and Capelas”.

With 3,5 kilometres, the new road starts at the so-called Canada Grande, near Pica da Pedra, ending at the connection that gives access to the fishing port.

The project of this road was particularly focused on  landscape integration, one of the government priorities regarding accessibilities, and a landscape architecture project has been created for the five roundabouts. Besides, throughout the road’s sidewalks, 300 spots for planting trees are being built.

In areas with more traffic, such as the trails near Rua do Rosário and along Rua d’Água, parking spaces will be created. The intersections with the existing streets will all be at-grade intersections, except for Travessa das Areias, where there will be an underpass.

The Regional Secretary sustained that, according to estimates, more than 1500 vehicles circulate daily on the regional road that crosses the centre of the town, where there are very narrow areas, with houses and stores leading directly to the road. Therefore, he says, “this road solves the problems regarding delays and safety both for pedestrians and drivers”.

This construction work includes several road construction domains, such as earthwork, draining, pavement, signage and safety equipment, the construction of an underpass, as well as some additional construction work, including public lighting, landscape concerns and wall protection.
 
On the last trail of the alternative road, given its slope, an additional lane with approximately 500 meters will be built, being it destined to the traffic of heavy vehicles.

According to José Contente, this construction work is running at a good pace, following the expected schedule. The Regional Secretary declared to the media that “the deadlines are balanced and are being followed, so we will be able to give this road to Rabo de Peixe Town at the expected time. It will be a good alternative to those who circulate around here”.

The Secretary for Equipment added that this is a great investment of the Azorean Government, enabling Rabo de Peixe to develop through good accessibilities.