The installation of the future airport in Alcochete, the construction of a new bridge to connect the Beato to the peninsula of Montijo and the redesign of the network of high speed train, with a section on common links to Porto, Madrid and Algarve, will save more than 3 billion Euros to the Country, compared to the costs of the location of the airport in Ota, the construction of a bridge "Chelas - Barreiro" and the network of high-speed train approved by the government. This is the main conclusion of the study developed by the Confederation of Portuguese Industry (CIP), that the DN had access, and that has already been delivered to both President of the Republic and Prime Minister.
Only the construction of the airport in Alcochete represents a savings estimated at 1 billion euros. The Ota, in the calculations of the government, represents an investment of 3.1 billion euros, while in Alcochete not exceed 2 billion euros.
Over the next few days should be a meeting between Jose Socrates and the CIP to begin to discuss the findings of the study, whose file has more than 200 pages. On the table will also be the business model that in the case of solution Ota, contemplated as a way of funding, the privatization of ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal.
The industry supports a proposal integration "perfect" between the new airport and the new TGV network, as well as links to road and rail systems, says source linked to the studies.
The location of future airport at the military shooting field of Alcochete, just over 30km from Lisbon, in a flat area, occupied mainly by eucalyptus, and belonging to the state, "offers an economy of more than 1 billion euros by not requiring expropriation and power qualify for higher financing of the European Union, is located in the district of Santarém, "adds the same source.
The shooting field of Alcochete occupies an area of the order of eight acres, which will not be fully occupied by the infrastructure. The space allows existing dimension the airport, anticipating future expansions. This is a negative point in Ota, who after 40 years is totally full. Alcochete can receive double-tracking unrestricted operation.
The technicians involved in the study made the complete redesign of the network of high speed trains, for the entrances and exits of Lisbon.
Thus, unlike the proposal put forward by the government, the CIP proposes a common output in the high-speed connections in Porto, Algarve and Madrid, departing from the Gare do Oriente or a new station, preferably in the area Chelas / Olaias. The train study shows, following a common line to the airport, and is from the station located at the airport that the line is divided into three and trains departing therefrom towards Porto, Madrid and Algarve.
The high-speed draft approved by the government envisages the construction of two lines just outside Lisbon. The connection to Porto followed by the northern shore, next to the existing railway line, while the link to Madrid following the bridge planned for the area Chelas - Barreiro, in the direction of the South The links to the Algarve are not included in the plans, continuing the train to Faro to move by April 25 Bridge. Overall, the project of high-speed made by the government is estimated at 7.1 billion euros, of which 4.5 billion at the high speed for Porto and 2.4 billion on the link to the border.
The project supported by the CIP includes the connection of the new airport to the railway junction of Poceirão and their logistics platform. The plans for Ota does not provide direct links to study logistics platforms in the region. One negative point in linking the south to the Port is that of the travel time increase about 15 minutes. Studies of the government estimate the trip Lisbon-Porto-in high speed at 1.15, with the bias for the time Alcochete may climb to 1.30. In contrast, the connection to the Algarve, with the line until Alcochete, will represent a saving of time of 30 minutes, compared to the current three hours.
Foreign studied bridge
The connection to the airport involves the construction of a new crossing over the River Tagus, and that the CIP provides exclusively and rail with four lanes, two in Iberian yardstick for suburban trains that already circulating in the national network, and two in Europe to serve gauge the TGV.
The third crossing of the Tagus bridge can be built in or immersed tunnel, defends the CIP. Any of these solutions, with mooring scheduled between the Blessed and the peninsula of Montijo, is the most economical bridge that the government wants to build between Chelas and Barreiro. The distance between the Blessed and Montijo is set at 5.6 km, while the distance between Chelas - Barreiro is of 7.6 km. The plans of the government point to an investment exceeding 1.2 billion euros for the third crossing at the railway, of which 600 million for the high speed. To date still has not been set if the connection will board a road.
The CIP confesses some "security" in the proposal, based on the fact that he appealed to more experts in bridges. The solution to bridge between the Blessed and Montijo was studied by the same expert who developed the initial studies of the bridge Chelas / Barreiro.
For accounts of this confederation solution "only in the structural aspect expense least 40% of that option by Barreiro," says the same source, which indicates how advantage "of not forcing virtually the realojamentos", as in the case of the bridge Chelas -- Barreiro.
The solution in immersed tunnel between the Blessed and Montijo was studied by British experts, who were involved in the design and construction of the tunnel of Oresund between Sweden and Denmark. According to studies, this solution, with a greater incorporation of the national industry, "has a lower cost solution in the bridge." Investing in one or another solution does not exceed billion.
