The Regional Secretary for Transport and Public Works stated today that the conclusion of Velas Maritime Terminal on São Jorge Island represents the fulfilment of another commitment made by the Government of the Azores.
 
At the end of a visit to the terminal, Ana Cunha pointed out that the new facilities allow "a significant improvement of the conditions provided to passengers in general to São Jorge islanders in particular."
 
In this context, the government official noted that the "remodelling of the terminal, which includes the separation of arrivals from departures and the improvement of efficiency in luggage processing, corresponds to a very significant improvement and to an increase of comfort for passengers."
 
The intervention in the Maritime Terminal represented an investment of 850 thousand Euros with a completion period of 14 months. It falls within the contract works for the expansion of Velas Commercial Dock and was completed on January 31, when it entered into operation. According to the Secretary for Transport, "it was agreed that it would enter into operation immediately and it would not be necessary to wait for the completion of the commercial dock and the works in the embankment."
 
As for the commercial dock, the works include its expansion by 150 metres as well as the expansion of the embankment areas, representing an investment of about 20 million Euros. According to Ana Cunha, "the works are about to be completed by late May/early June."