The Regional Secretary for Transport and Public Works announced today that the Government of the Azores will invest 1.1 million Euros in the application of road surface markings on regional roads, thus continuing the works in the regional road network.
 
Vítor Fraga stressed that this investment aims to "increase traffic and safety conditions" on Azorean roads.
 
The Regional Secretary spoke at the opening of the rehabilitation and upgrading works of the section of the Regional Road No. 1 - 2 between Limeira and Porto Afonso on Graciosa Island. He stressed that this work "also embodies the Regional Government's commitment to improving the accessibility of public roads as well as mobility conditions and the quality of life of the Azorean people.
 
In his speech, Vítor Fraga assured that the Regional Government remains committed to "fulfilling the commitments taken, including the enhancement of regional resources and the improvement of public infrastructures in order to acknowledge the value of our heritage."
 
The Regional Secretary stressed that the rehabilitation project of the section of the regional road between Limeira and Porto Afonso "gave voice to the claims of Graciosa Island." According to him, "the improvement of the road network and the intervention in land logistics circuits to support development was much needed, particularly in this area of the island."
 
In this regard, he stated that the Government "awarded priority status to this intervention, which covered pavements, signage, equipment and safety improvement. It was intended to make road traffic more convenient and safer on one of the most emblematic roads of the regional road network of Graciosa Island."
 
The contract work for the rehabilitation and upgrading of this road section, with an extension of about 10 kilometres, was carried out in three different phases. The first covered the road section between Serra Branca and Limeira, while the second phase comprised the section between Serra Branca and Rotunda da Ribeirinha (roundabout). In turn, the third phase took place between Rotunda da Ribeirinha and Porto Afonso.
 
The work lasted about 300 days, meeting the stipulated deadlines. It represented an investment of about one million Euros.
 
Today's opening also marks the conclusion the contract work for the application of thermoplastic road paint on Graciosa. It involved "the painting of markings on regional roads and covered almost all regional roads, ensuring proper safety conditions to drivers," said the Regional Secretary.