The new Eastern Variant of the IP2 came into operation, representing a significant change in the road traffic of Évora. The infrastructure was designed to divert part of the traffic that crosses the city, with the municipality estimating a reduction in traffic volume of around 30% to 40% in the surrounding urban area. The official inauguration ceremony was attended by the Vice-President of the Municipality of Évora, Jerónimo José, and the Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Hugo Espírito Santo.
The variant is approximately 13 kilometres long with a dual carriageway, establishing a new connection between the Eastern Évora Junction of the A6/IP7, located after the toll, and the current IP2, in the São Manços area. For the municipal official, Jerónimo José, the opening marks "the end of a long wait of more than a decade" and the beginning of a new phase for mobility in Évora, with special impact on the removal of through traffic from the historic centre and the circulation of heavy vehicles.
The work represented an investment of 54.9 million euros, financed through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), being the intervention with the highest award value among the investments executed by Infraestruturas de Portugal under this programme. The expectation is that the transfer of traffic will contribute to reducing congestion, improving traffic flow, decreasing travel times and strengthening road safety conditions.
In addition to the impact on car traffic, the new variant should improve accessibility to the industrial and technological areas of Évora, creating more favourable conditions for economic activity and the development of the Alentejo region.
