(REPLACEMENT OF THE TEXT "New centre, east district Lisbon tram line viable - environment agency", DUE TO MISINTERPRETATION OF THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE PRESENTATION)
Lisbon, Sept. 15, 2026 (Lusa) - Carris, the developer of the 16E tram project between Terreiro do Paço and Parque das Nações in Lisbon, said on Monday it would introduce measures to improve areas such as the environment and mobility.
The company provided these assurances during a public information session that the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) organised as part of the public consultation on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which runs until 30 September.
During the session, the team presented the main impacts identified for the project, namely the need to transplant trees, the reallocation of parking spaces in the Parque das Nações area, increased noise and vibrations, dust emissions, and temporary changes to accessibility.
The transport operator also acknowledged that installing tracks, stations and overhead lines would affect the urban landscape, as well as mobility, public well-being and safety during the construction phase.
According to the information released, the need to transplant trees applies to the various route options, notably on Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Avenida Dom João II and Alameda dos Oceanos; the company explained that these impacts, whilst potentially significant, could be offset and minimised in subsequent phases of the project.
In the ‘overall assessment' of the presentation, the company stated that ‘all alternatives are environmentally viable and, following the implementation of mitigation and compensation measures, the differences are negligible'.
The APA indicated that its analysis focuses solely on the alternatives presented in the project.
The session featured feedback and suggestions from some residents regarding the loss of parking spaces, noise and vibrations in residential areas near the route.
«You are going to destroy Parque das Nações,» said one resident, whilst another questioned the need to introduce yet another mode of transport to Lisbon's city centre.
The identified impacts were countered by the expected benefits of the 16E coming into operation, namely an estimated reduction of around 4,800 vehicles per day and 124,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Carris also emphasised that implementing this project is an opportunity to regenerate eastern Lisbon and assured that it «leaves open» the possibility of future connections to other parts of the city.
Announced in April 2025, the 16E tram project aims to «strengthen the link between the city's easternmost area (Parque Tejo) and the centre of Lisbon, via a rapid tram operating as a light rail system», covering a route of around 11 kilometres with 17 stops.
The future 16E tram «promises to connect Praça do Comércio to the southern part of Parque das Nações in 15 minutes (22 minutes to the central part of Parque das Nações)», operating «on a 100 per cent dedicated track», crossing the city «free from traffic and with no barriers along the route», with a reference average operating speed of 25 kilometres per hour, and assuming the presence of overhead catenary lines along the entire route.
According to information on the ‘Participa' website, the project expects to use a total of 28 trams, each with a maximum capacity of 220 passengers, rolling stock identical to that recently acquired by Carris from the Spanish company CAF, «characterised by five-module articulated vehicles, with a total length of 28.5 metres».
The project will involve an investment of €160 million, with European co-funding, and the benefits are estimated to be «valued at €298 million, taking into account improvements in mobility and positive environmental impacts», namely a reduction of 4,800 vehicles per day and 124,000 fewer tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to a report by the company TIS.
The public consultation on the EIA runs until 30 September via the Participa portal (https://participa.pt/pt/consulta/projeto-da-extensao-do-servico-de-eletrico-rapido-ao-parque-do-tejo-16e), where the Non-Technical Summary and the other documents relating to the study are available.
The project's implementation will depend on the subsequent stages of drawing up the Implementation Plan and the Environmental Compliance Report for the Implementation Plan (RECAPE).
FAC/ADB // ADB.
Lus
