THE Portuguese cabinet has approved the construction of the 11.5km Violet light rail line in Lisbon, confirming a €527m investment in the project.
Of the total investment, €390m will come from the national Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), in the form of a loan, while the remaining €137.3m will be provided from the state budget.
The funding will support design and construction of the new line as well as the procurement of rolling stock and systems, and the provision of infrastructure and equipment maintenance services. It will also fund associated urban regeneration projects in Loures and Odivelas, the two municipalities in the north of Lisbon that the new C-shaped line will serve.
Of the line’s 17 stations, 12 will be at grade, three underground and two in cuttings. Nine stations will be on a 6.4km section of the line in Loures and the remaining eight stations are in Odivelas on a 5.1km stretch. The new line will interchange with the north-south Yellow Line at Odivelas station.
The government says the Violet Line will reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, and improve connections between communities, fostering economic growth. It will also offer a sustainable and accessible travel alternative for residents.
The government adds that major works on the project are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with only minor finishing work extending into 2027.
Red Line extension
Meanwhile, on December 5, Lisbon Metro confirmed that it has awarded a contract for design and construction of the 4km metro Red Line extension to Mota-Engil and the Portuguese subsidiary of Spie Batignolles International. The contract is worth €321.9m, which is below the base price of €330m set in the tender issued on January 2.
The project involves extending the existing Red Line metro by 4km from the line’s western terminus at São Sebastião to a new at-grade terminus at Alcântara, with three intermediate underground stations at Amoreiras/Campolide, Campo de Ourique, and Infante Santo.
The winning consortium overcame four other bidders for the contract, which were shortlisted in August.
New fleet tender
Lisbon Metro has published a tender notice in the Official Journal of the European Union for the procurement of 24 three-car metro trains with an option for an additional 12 three-car sets.
The value of the contract is estimated at €138m and prospective bidders have 90 days to respond.
The fleet purchase is intended to support the expected increase in demand for metro services following the entry into service of the Circle and Red Line extensions. Lisbon Metro says the contract option is intended to support the renewal of life-expired rolling stock.
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