Madeira Via Expresso reopens after rockfall near São Vicente

A section of the Via Expresso highway between São Vicente and Porto Moniz on the north coast of Madeira has been reopened to traffic following a rockfall near the Ladeira da Vinha tunnel. The road was initially closed after rocks fell from the cliffside, an incident that reportedly affected at least three vehicles and caused four injuries.

Following an inspection by a team of rock specialists from the Regional Directorate of Roads, authorities determined that conditions were safe enough to allow vehicles to pass. To prevent future occurrences, the Regional Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LREC) is scheduled to begin a new intervention on August 24.

This technical work will involve identifying geological pathologies, geolocating critical risk points, and performing three-dimensional modeling of the cliff. The data collected will be used to determine the trajectories of potential falling rocks and to design active or passive mitigation measures, such as the 'false tunnel' projects previously implemented in other high-risk areas of the region.