Lisbon’s Avenida da Liberdade to undergo major resurfacing

Lisbon’s iconic Avenida da Liberdade will undergo major resurfacing works from late August until the end of October as part of a broader effort to restore one of Portugal’s most prestigious streets.

According to Lisbon City Council, the project will focus on resurfacing the avenue’s central carriageways, alongside repainting pedestrian crossings and other road markings. Most of the work will be carried out at night and in phases to minimise disruption to traffic.

The resurfacing comes two years after repairs to the avenue’s side roads and follows a series of improvements already under way, including the rehabilitation of landscaped areas, lakes, street furniture and lighting.

The city council said the works are “essential to restore the good condition of the road surfaces” and form part of a wider programme to revitalise the boulevard.

Recent months have seen the restoration of the Tejo Lake completed, while work continues on the Douro Lake. The municipality has also refurbished flowerbeds, improved green spaces and pavements, repainted lamp posts and increased street cleaning following criticism over the avenue’s condition.

Eric van Leuven, recently elected president of the Associação Avenida, which represents businesses along the boulevard, welcomed the investment, saying the municipality was committed to giving the avenue “the care and attention it deserves”.

“The central axis of Lisbon, from Campo Grande to Terreiro do Paço, has been renovated over the past 20 years – except for Avenida da Liberdade,” he previously told Portuguese media. “We’re talking about the country’s most important avenue. There isn’t a tourist who comes to Lisbon without passing through it.”

Once resurfacing is complete, the city also plans to introduce new cycle lanes and remove some on-street parking as part of the avenue’s ongoing modernisation.

Source: Eco/TimeOut

Inês Lopes

Newspaper editor at The Portugal Resident