Vítor Fraga assures that the Regional Government continues to invest in the renewal of the road network
The Regional Secretary for Transport and Public Works stated that the Azorean Government continues to invest in the renewal of roads, which "evidences the Government's concern to maintain a road network that allows a safer and efficient use." In this context, he stressed that accessibility is "fundamental to promoting the proximity and development of localities."
Vítor Fraga stressed that, over the last four and half years, the Government has carried out investments in the archipelago in terms of infrastructures and roads, "representing a global amount of 17 million Euros." The government official also added that there are six million-Euro investments underway and four million-Euro investments at tender stage."
The Regional Secretary also highlighted "a series of interventions intended to install horizontal road surface markings, along the nine islands, an investment over million Euros. It has the clear goal of improving traffic safety level, as this is one of our main concerns."
Speaking at the opening of the renewal works of Regional Road no.1-1 between Pilar da Bretanha, hamlet of João Bom, and Mosteiros, Vítor Fraga added that "this works concludes the interventions in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, representing a significant investment cycle in the renewal of the regional road network."
According to the Regional Secretary, the work opened today, an investment of around 1.1 million Euros, will "ensure better safety conditions" to all those who use these roads on a daily basis but also to those who visit the Azores and use them.
The Regional Secretary stressed that, despite "all difficulties that were posed by the previous National Government, when it refused access to community funds for the construction of roads, the Government of the Azores developed a meritorious work and managed to secure a special scheme. Although it is limited, it provides an overall amount of 16 million Euros for interventions on several regional roads for the period 2014-2020."
"This has led us to take options, to evaluate the importance and relevance of each of the investments and to opt for what we considered to be the most urgent in order to provide an immediate response to the needs of our populations," said the government official.
Vítor Fraga pointed out that, as the work was open today "an investment that responds to the fair demands of the local population," is also represents "the accomplishment of a commitment."
"Once again, we are faced with a commitment that is a fulfilled commitment," said the Regional Secretary.