Normalized circulation on Vasco da Gama bridges and 25 April

A circulation is already normalized in the bridges Vasco da Gama and 25 April and the exceptional restrictions and recommendations previously disclosed due to adverse weather conditions were raised, according to a statement from the concessionaire Lusoponte.

“Lusoponte reports that the normality of circulation on the Vasco da Gama bridges is restored and April 25th, with the exceptional restrictions and recommendations previously disclosed due to adverse weather conditions being lifted”, reads in the note released tonight.

However, the concessionaire of the two bridges admits that the evolution of weather conditions “may justify” the adoption of “new measures at any time”.

Lusoponte says it continues to monitor the situation permanently, in conjunction with the authorities, and ensures that it will disclose updated information whenever appropriate.

It therefore recommends drivers to accompany the information available on Lusoponte’s official channels and to “respect the signs and indications of the authorities”.

The speed of circulation on the Vasco da Gama bridges and 25 April, which connect Lisbon to the South Bank, was now limited to 60 km/h due to weather conditions, according to previous information from Lusoponte.

In this previous note, the concessionaire also advised against “the movement of motorcycles, vehicles with a top of canvas and others equally susceptible to wind action”.

In the statement, Lusoponte said that it was constantly monitoring the progress of the situation and asked drivers to redouble the care, adapt driving and respect the signs and indications of the authorities.

Continental Portugal is being affected by the arrival of depression Charles, with the Lisbon Fire Sapber Regiment (RSBL) registered 130 occurrences related to bad weather, between 00:00 and 06:00 today, most floods of housing and public space, without gravity.

The authorities put the continent on alert on Wednesday due to the foreseeable worsening of the state of time, predicting that Lisbon, Leiria, Setúbal, Beja and Faro will be the most affected regions.

The gravity of the scenario led the government to decide to close non-essential public schools and services in all districts, and the authorities admitted closing bridges and air traffic restrictions.

According to Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), “the occurrence of heavy rain or shower periods, strong wind, with gusts that can reach 120 km/h and, in case of formation of the phenomenon ‘sting jet’ (air current rapidly descending inside an extratropical depression, accelerating towards the surface), exceed 150 km/h”.