The Regional Secretary for Transport and Public Works stated on Flores that the Regional Government has invested "more than 50 million Euros in port works already concluded or in progress" over the course of this legislative period. According to her, this "figure clearly demonstrates the commitment to continue reinforcing all operating and safety conditions in various port infrastructures throughout the Region."
Ana Cunha spoke on the sidelines of a visit to the redevelopment works of Poças Port in Santa Cruz das Flores, an investment of about 8.5 million Euros. It is primarily intended "to improve the general operating and safety conditions in this infrastructure, not only for passenger vessels, such as ARIEL, but also for vessels registered in maritime tourism activities and fishing vessels; the latter will have better docking conditions."
The Secretary for Public Works pointed out that the work includes "the construction of a new breakwater to cover the entire basin, over 300 meters long, the removal of some rocky outcrops and also some dredging operations in the access canal to the quay."
The Regional Secretary stated that the works have been carried out at "the expected pace," stressing that there have been "some adverse weather conditions, as is the case with any maritime work. However, despite adverse conditions, the works have been carried out at very positive pace." In this context, she also stressed the "improvement of safety in port operations and the advantages of this intervention to the local population."
Ana Cunha also stated that the list of future investments includes the rehabilitation of the West Jetty of the Recreational Nautical Centre in Lajes das Flores, which was damaged in the storm of early March 2018.
The Regional Secretary stated that the contract work is expected to be launched by the end of this year.
This intervention has an estimated completion period of about 10 months and a budget of 700 thousand euros. It will include the demolition of the head of the breakwater, which came off during the storm, and the construction of new head and the respective protective layer.