The new Glória Elevator will be inaugurated by the end of 2029, Carris announced. The old elevator was destroyed in an accident on September 3, 2025, which caused the death of 16 people and approximately 20 injured. The company will launch an international public tender in the first quarter of 2027 for the design and construction of the new equipment, which will be a completely new installation and not a reconstruction.
Carris's president, Rui Lopo, stressed that the company's responsibility was not merely to rebuild the past, but to design the future. The solution is based on five guiding principles, including absolute safety, and will take into account the preservation of Calçada da Glória, which will be maintained as it has been for the last 140 years. Architect Ricardo Bak Gordon indicated that the musealization of parts of carriage 1 of the old elevator is planned.
Gonçalo Reis, vice-president of the Lisbon City Council, explained that the mandate to Carris is based on four pillars: a robust and technically advanced solution, compatible with the requalification of public space, modern but respecting the historical identity of the equipment, and an exemplary process through a transparent international public tender.
Regarding compensation, only four of the 16 families of victims have received compensation and seven cases are still being negotiated. Insurer Fidelidade revealed it has borne approximately 2.3 million euros in expenses and none of the 24 injured have yet been reimbursed, since the definitive compensation assessment depends on the clinical stabilization of the injured. Carris also terminated the maintenance contracts with MNTC following the accident.
