Portugal and Extremadura will deepen coordination of new road links between the two territories and study financing mechanisms that allow compatible investments and construction schedules on both sides of the border. The progress results from a meeting held on October 2, in Lisbon, between the Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Hugo Espírito Santo, and the adviser for Infrastructure, Transport and Housing of the Extremadura Regional Government, Francisco José Ramírez.
Among the main results is the Portuguese confirmation that the high-capacity connection between Castelo Branco and the Spanish border, via IC31, is considered a national strategic priority. On the Spanish side, the infrastructure will continue through the EX-A1, which the Extremadura Regional Government intends to extend from the Moraleja area to the Portuguese border. The goal is to prevent the completion of infrastructure on one side of the border from lacking continuity in the neighboring country.
The meeting also addressed progress on the future international bridge over the Erges River, necessary to complete this new connection. Portugal expressed willingness to proceed with the necessary bilateral agreement for the construction of the infrastructure, with the matter expected to be submitted to the next Luso-Spanish Summit. This crossing is distinct from the new international bridge over the Sever River, between Nisa and Cedillo.
The Lisbon-Caia railway connection was also on the agenda, with the Portuguese delegation presenting to Extremadura the planned schedule for the development of high-speed rail, with a target horizon of 2034. The railway corridor is particularly important for the Alentejo region, crossing through it via the Évora-Elvas-Caia route before entering Spain at Badajoz. The meeting comes after Spanish political representatives and territorial organizations intensified their demands for infrastructure built in Extremadura to have continuity on the Portuguese side.
