PCP proposes new bridges and toll end in Santarém

O PCP presented proposals for the Santarém district under the State Budget for 2027, including new bridges over the Tagus, the end of tolls at A15 and A13 and the strengthening of health.

In a statement released today, the Directorate of the Regional Organization of Santarém of the PCP (DORSA) indicated that the proposals presented in the Assembly of the Republic intend to respond to “concrete problems” of the peoples of the district.

In the area of accessibility, the party proposes the construction of a new bridge over the Tagus in Chamusca and the completion of the Complementary Itinerary 3 (IC3), as well as a new road crossing in Constância, integrated into the National Road Plan.

The proposals also include the replacement of the Parreira military bridge with a definitive infrastructure, the construction of a variant to the National Road 3 (EN3) between Cartaxo and Santarém and the structural requalification of EN118.

With regard to EN118, the Communists propose the transfer of funds to Portugal's Infrastructure for this "structural road requalification" in order to improve accessibility and security conditions.

The party considers that the degradation of the pavement and the conditions of circulation in EN118 compromises the safety and mobility of the populations, arguing that “one-off repairs do not solve the problems of this route”, which it classifies as “a fundamental road axis for the Lezíria do Tejo and for the economic activity of the district”.

The CFP also advocates the elimination of tolls on motorway 15 (A15) and on section A13 between Benavente and Almeirim.

In health, the party proposes the creation of a permanent Basic Emergency Service at the Coruche Health Center and a Service Permanent in Ourém, “with the necessary resources for regular operation”.

Among the other measures presented are the depollution and requalification of the Alviela River, the creation of security forces posts in Pernes and Alcanede and the requalification of the facilities of the Santarém District Command.

The party also wants to strengthen the National Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV) and its three poles in the district, located in Santarém, Salvaterra de Magos and Coruche.

According to the communist regional structure, proposals have also been made to repair weather damaged infrastructure, to support local authorities and to transfer resources to Portugal's infrastructure.

The measures also cover the recovery of housing, support for the associative movement and associations of firefighters and intervention in school buildings and equipment.

The CFP also presented proposals for the reopening of courts, the rehabilitation of schools, the appreciation of the external spaces of educational establishments and the construction of gymnastic pavilions.

In the case of courts, the PCP proposes to transfer funds to the Institute of Financial Management and Justice Equipment for reopening and requalification of courts closed or reduced to close trials in the district, namely in Mação, Ferreira do Zêzere, Golegã and Alcanena.

The party maintains that the closure of those courts or their transformation into close trials “created increased obstacles to access to justice”, especially for populations of territories away from large metropolitan areas.