Socialist Party demands government explain closure of key Portugal bridge

The Socialist Party (PS) has demanded urgent clarification from the government over the closure of heavy goods vehicles to the Vila Velha de Rodão bridge, a key transport artery in central Portugal. In a statement published today, PS deputies highlighted the bridge’s “critical importance for regional mobility and the movement of goods,” calling the restriction “unjustified and potentially damaging to local economies.” The government has not yet responded to the parliamentary inquiry, which was filed on Monday and made public on Tuesday.

The closure, which took effect last week, has sparked concern among logistics operators and municipal authorities in the districts of Castelo Branco and Guarda. The PS argues that the decision was taken without adequate consultation with affected communities or an independent structural assessment of the bridge’s capacity. “This is not just a technical issue—it is a matter of public interest,” said PS transport spokesperson Ana Gomes. “The government must explain why this measure was imposed and what alternatives are being considered.”

The Vila Velha de Rodão bridge, a 19th-century structure spanning the Tagus River, has long been a bottleneck for heavy traffic between the interior and coastal regions. Local chambers of commerce have warned that rerouting trucks via alternative routes adds up to two hours to journeys and increases fuel costs by an estimated €150 per trip. The PS has called for an immediate technical review and, if necessary, temporary reinforcement works to allow controlled access for HGVs while a permanent solution is developed.

The government has not disclosed the reasons behind the closure, which follows a series of inspections carried out by the national road authority, Infraestruturas de Portugal, after reports of cracks in the bridge’s masonry. Infraestruturas de Portugal confirmed on Monday that “preventive measures” had been implemented “in the interest of public safety,” but declined to provide further details pending a full report.

Meanwhile, the PS has pledged to table a motion in parliament demanding a debate on the issue before the summer recess. “We cannot allow a vital piece of infrastructure to be sidelined without transparency or a credible plan,” said Gomes. The motion is expected to be voted on next week, with cross-party support likely given the bridge’s significance to rural and peripheral regions.

The controversy comes as the government faces broader criticism over the maintenance of aging transport networks, with several other bridges across the country also subject to weight restrictions. The PS has accused the executive of “systemic neglect” and called for a national audit of all bridges over 50 years old.