Portugal has approved an additional €48 million to complete the expansion of the Lisbon Metro, significantly increasing the total investment in the project. The funding will support the extension linking Rato to Cais do Sodré as part of the city’s broader transport upgrade.
The decision, confirmed António Leitão Amaro, brings the total cost of the project to €380 million. This represents an increase of around 80 percent compared to the initial estimate when the project was first launched in 2018.
Officials noted that most of the cost increase had already been determined in 2022, with the latest funding aimed at ensuring the project is completed rather than left unfinished. The expansion focuses on improving connectivity between key areas of Lisbon through enhancements to the Yellow and Green lines.
The development forms part of the Circular line project, designed to improve mobility in the city center. The extension is expected to enhance public transport efficiency and reduce reliance on road traffic, contributing to a more integrated urban transport system.
Despite the benefits, the rising cost has drawn attention, with concerns raised about budget planning and project management. As construction progresses, the investment highlights both the importance of infrastructure development and the challenges of delivering large scale urban projects within budget.
