After a visit to the construction site, which began in August 2022 and is expected to end in February 2024, the inspection director of Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) stressed to Lusa that the viaduct remains safe.

"The viaduct is not at risk", highlighted Carlos Sousa, stressing that the works, budgeted at 6.9 million euros, will give it "better resistance" through seismic reinforcement.

Among the ongoing interventions is the use of steel to reinforce existing concrete structures on the pillars, as well as painting them.

"We are improving the foundation, the structure of the two main pillars, (...) which connects to the main arch, the arch on Avenida de Ceuta -- about 100 meters of span", detailed Carlos Sousa.

With works currently underway on the pillar closest to Lisbon, traffic on Avenida de Ceuta remains normal, something that will not happen on the deck that connects to Highway 5 (which comes from Cascais).

During the visit, the engineer assured journalists that circulation will not be cut off, but that it will be conditioned between July 15th and September 15th, although this period has not yet been confirmed.

According to Carlos Sousa, "the biggest problem for the public will be getting in and out of Lisbon during this summer period, when the paving will be done at night, so that it will be working during the day", as well as the work to replace the expansion joints.

The Duarte Pacheco Viaduct, named after the Minister of Public Works at the time, is one of the main access roads to Lisbon - it was designed in 1937 by engineer João Alberto Barbosa Carmona and the work was carried out between April 1939 and December 1944 .