Viana do Castelo highlights territorial “justice” with the end of tolls on the A28

The mayor of Viana do Castelo, Luís Nobre, said today that justice was done with the approval, in general, of the PS bill to eliminate tolls on the former SCUT, referring to the A28.

The PS proposal – the only one that was approved this afternoon – aims to end tolls on the A4 – Transmontana and Túnel do Marão, A13 and A13-1 – Pinhal Interior, A22 – Algarve, A23 – Beira Interior, A24 – Interior Norte, A25 – Beiras Litoral and Alta and A28 – Minho in the sections between Esposende and Antas and between Neiva and Darque.

The proposal was approved with votes in favor of the socialists, Chega, BE, PCP, Livre and PAN.

For the socialist who presides over the municipality of the district capital of Viana do Castelo, that decision “brings justice in the country’s territorial cohesion and favors mobility, economy and tourism in low-density regions, such as Alto Minho .

“This is the most homogeneous solution and an old demand from the municipality of Viana do Castelo, which has always been against the introduction of tolls on the A28. This decision brings territorial justice, especially for the economy of Viana do Castelo and for the normal and natural relationship with neighboring Galicia, especially since this is a border region”, he states, quoted in a statement sent to newsrooms.

Luís Nobre highlights that “the introduction of this topic in the electoral campaign was fundamental and that the commitment made to exempt tolls was always a demand” that he defended.

For the socialist mayor, “the payment of tolls has created several constraints over the years, even being an obstacle to the competitiveness and attractiveness of the region, as well as tourism, with serious consequences in terms of restaurants, hotels and commerce”.

The proposal approved today in general – which according to the socialists has a budgetary impact of 157 million euros – will come into force on January 1, 2025, according to the PS bill.

Since 2008, there was barely a glimpse of the possibility of introducing tolls on the A28, before mayors, businesspeople and movements in the districts of Porto, Viana do Castelo and Galicia contested the option, implemented in October 2010.

Honking horns, slow marches and other popular protests lasted for several months and the Spanish press even classified the ex-SCUT A28 as the “most expensive motorway in Europe”, as it forced foreign motorists to pay 77 euros to travel 76 kilometers .

The contestation never ended and the State Budget for 2024 served as a source of new laments and demands, this time due to the exclusion of A28 from the 30% reduction applied to some ex-SCUT.

Mayors, parties and businesspeople criticized the lack of alternatives and penalization of the region, particularly in relations with Galicia.

Alto Minho also demands the relocation of the A28 gateway between Neiva and Darque, providing access to one of the main industrial areas in the municipality of Viana do Castelo.