Portugal to stabilize EN2 highway and negotiate future of A8 and A15 concessions

Portugal’s road agency Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) has awarded a €1.4 million contract to stabilise the EN2 between Barranco do Velho and São Brás de Alportel. The work will include retaining structures, foundation reinforcement, drainage systems, resurfacing and the reinstatement of safety equipment, with the aim of reopening the road to traffic by the end of 2026 after it has been closed since June 2025 due to extreme‑weather‑related geotechnical damage.

At the same time, the government has begun formal dialogue with concessionaire Brisa about the future of the A8 (and A15) motorways. The first major concession, Autoestradas do Atlântico, expires in December 2028, followed by Autoestradas do Norte in 2029. The State Secretary for Infrastructure said the Institute of Mobility and Transport and IP have been mandated to discuss renewal options, including possible sub‑concessions, toll adjustments and new funding models, with case‑by‑case solutions expected while a longer‑term framework for 2030‑35 is developed.