Berta Cabral announces launch of public tender for 1st phase of work to improve protection of Porto Pim coastline - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures announced on Wednesday, on Faial Island, that the public tender for the 1st phase of the work to improve the protection of the Porto Pim coastline will be launched at the beginning of the second half of this year.

Berta Cabral spoke at the public presentation of the preliminary study for the work to protect Porto Pim bay, which was severely hit by Hurricane Lorenzo.

"We are already going to work on completing the implementation project based on the Consulmar-Azores study. This will be followed by the launch of the public tender for the works contract at the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026, with a view to reducing overtopping on the waterfront and guaranteeing improved protection for people and goods between the São Sebastião Fort and Reduto da Patrulha Redoubt," she said.

The project represents an investment of about three million Euros and is expected to be completed in one year.

Nevertheless, the Regional Secretary recalled that the work in the first phase aims to reinforce coastal protection at the level of the foundations along the wall and the restoration of important architectural elements.

Berta Cabral stressed the importance of all the work carried out and yet to be carried out in Porto Pim bay. She added: "All the interventions have become necessary since the entire area of the wall that faces the regional road has been affected and we should work to safeguard people and property."

She continued: "This is a systemic and comprehensive intervention in the entire Porto Pim area. The main goal of these works is to ensure the safety and protection of people and property, as well as the need to protect a relevant area from an environmental, heritage and tourist standpoint."

The Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries was also present at the session. She underlined the coordinated effort between the various departments (the Environment, Sea and Infrastructures departments and the Municipal Council) to carry out the work in question.

"This joint effort was important for us to carry out a project on the budget we have and within the stipulated deadlines, whilst fulfilling the goals we had set ourselves," stated Mário Rui Pinho.

Stating that "this has been an evolutionary process,"  he pointed out that "the three goals proposed for this work to proceed in a coordinated manner have been met, namely the protection of the coastline, the integration of the entire area with the resident population, safeguarding their safety, and environmental protection."

Mário Rui Pinho also stated that "the Regional Government is doing a good job in terms of prioritising works aimed at safeguarding the population, as is the case with this one, which intends to protect the Porto Pim coastline."

The study presented by the Regional Director for Public Works, Pedro Azevedo, proposes the construction of a seafront pedestrian route and a bathing area, which will include sunbathing areas and access to the sea, ensuring an appropriate architectural and urban setting.