The municipalities of Alcoutim, in Portugal, and Sanlúcar de Guadiana, in Spain, sent a joint letter to the governments of both countries calling for one last effort to unblock the construction of the International Bridge over the Guadiana River. The mayors, Paulo Jorge Cavaco Paulino and José María Pérez Díaz, expressed deep concern over the impasse that has already dragged on for too long. In the letter, they highlighted that the bridge can structurally change the accessibility of this cross-border territory and contribute to territorial cohesion, creating new development opportunities for communities affected by inland status, low population density and depopulation.
The construction of the bridge moved into a new phase with the signing of the agreement between Portugal and Spain at the 35th Luso-Spanish Summit, held in Faro on October 23, 2024. Subsequently, the Luso-Spanish Mixed Technical Commission was established, comprising representatives from both countries and regional and local authorities. In October 2025, the project analysis work began, but the process is currently pending the assessment from Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge regarding the environmental impact.
Given this situation, the two municipalities believe a new political push is necessary. The mayors acknowledge the complexity of the process and the efforts already made, but argue that the opportunity, all the work carried out and all the investment already made cannot be lost. Alcoutim and Sanlúcar de Guadiana placed themselves at the disposal of the governments and other competent entities to collaborate in resolving the pending issues, providing information, participating in technical and political meetings and contributing to ensuring that all environmental, technical and administrative requirements are fully met.
"The bridge is not just an infrastructure: it is an opportunity for transformation for a territory that has been waiting for decades for a physical connection capable of bringing together two banks, two municipalities and two countries," the mayors concluded in the letter sent to the governments.
