Coastal protection works in Barra, Graciosa Island, are proceeding at good pace, says Gui Menezes
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated today that the works for the protection and stabilisation of Barra coastal area in Santa Cruz da Graciosa are proceeding "at a good pace," after being halted due to adverse weather conditions.
Gui Menezes spoke on the sidelines of a visit to the works in the context of the Regional Government's statutory visit. The government official stressed that this intervention has "some peculiarities," namely the use of innovative materials such as accropode blocks, which require some work at sea and, consequently, "good weather conditions."
"The use of accropode blocks is a national innovation," Gui Menezes said, adding that “they have less visual impact compared to other types of protection blocks."
The protection and redevelopment works of Barra Bay correspond to an investment of more than 7.5 million Euros, co-financed by European Structural Funds. It includes the construction of an elliptical breakwater of about 225 metres that will be in line with the shape of Portinho da Barra port. The breakwater will be located on the north side of the bay.
An embankment with a surface area of 3,500 m2 has already been built. The intervention also includes the construction of a jetty on the south side of the bay, which will be about 85 metres, and the installation of a wooden walkway with an extension of about 82 metres.
Currently, the dredging of the bay as well as of the maritime access are being completed.
The Regional Secretary emphasised the importance of this contract work insofar as Barra Bay only has "an old whaling port and a fort that was being battered by the sea on bad weather days." According to him, the intervention "also allows the creation of a leisure area so that locals and tourists may enjoy this bay."
The Salemas Natural Pool, one of the bay's attractions, has been preserved. In this regard, the work will improve its potential as a bathing and leisure area.