Lisbon Metro Faces Weekend Disruptions
Lisbon's metro system is experiencing disruptions to weekend service due to construction work impacting train traffic. The affected lines are between the Cais do Sodré and Algés stations. Commuters have been advised to find alternative transportation during the works.
- The current works are part of the Green Line's extension into a "Circular Line," which involves building a 2-kilometer tunnel to connect Rato and Cais do Sodré with two new stations, Santos and Estrela, expected to be finished by 2025 or 2026. - This is one component of a wider expansion, including a major €405.4 million project to extend the Red Line 4 kilometers to Alcântara, adding four new stations and connecting the airport to the city's western riverfront. - The Red Line extension is projected to add 11 million new passenger journeys annually and remove 3,700 cars from the roads each day, cutting CO2 emissions by an estimated 6,200 tonnes in its first year. - Another significant project is the new Violet Line, a €527 million, 11.5-kilometer surface light rail system designed to connect the municipalities of Loures and Odivelas with 17 new stations. - To support the network's growth, 24 new three-car trainsets have been ordered from Stadler for €138 million, and the Red Line is being upgraded with a modern Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling system. - Funding for these expansions relies heavily on the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Plan, which requires the projects to be completed by the end of 2026, a deadline that has become a critical risk factor due to initial delays. - A parallel modernization plan is focused on accessibility, with a goal to make 93% of all metro stations fully accessible by 2026 through the installation and replacement of elevators across the network. - The new Alcântara station is designed as a key intermodal hub, connecting the metro with regional rail, tram services, and the planned LIOS light rail line to the municipality of Oeiras, reflecting a broader strategy to better integrate Lisbon's various public transport systems.
