"The A23 is a structuring axis that has enabled development and brought investment to the business fabric of the regions it passes through," argues the official, who is keen to point out that this fundamental infrastructure doesn't just serve the district of Albicastrina. "As well as enabling traffic between the various population centers along the route - Abrantes, Castelo Branco, Covilhã and Guarda - the A23 is the main link between these regions and Lisbon," Pinto do Silva points out. As well as connecting Beira Interior to the country's capital, the highway has also been a privileged bridge to the rest of Europe, stresses the managing director of Globalvia A23, explaining that "road traffic, especially heavy goods traffic from Europe to the Greater Lisbon area, is largely carried out via the A23".
In order to ensure that this engine of progress for the interior continues to run, Globalvia A23 - Beira Interior relies on the know-how of its parent company: Globalvia, which presents itself as a "leading mobility group worldwide", responsible for managing multiple road and rail concessions in 11 countries. Currently holding two road concessions in Portugal - the Globalvia A23 Beiro Interior and the Globalvia A4 Transmontana, between Vila Real and Quintanilha - the multinational is also interested in extending its rail operation to our country. "We are one of the main shareholders in the high-speed train linking Madrid to Malaga and, as soon as there is a high-speed rail line in Portugal, we intend to bid for the operation that will be launched," said Daniel Pinto da Silva.
Aiming to be an open road to the future, Globalvia A23 also wants to be at the forefront of the race for technological innovation and sustainability. An example of this is the fact that, following the introduction of toll payment on the A23 in 2011, the concessionaire implemented a "free flow" collection system, i.e. the so-called gantries, which was "developed internally by the then Scutvias, with local know-how, and which is now used in other Globalvia group concessions around the world," Pinto do Silva points out. The general manager also draws attention to the development, in partnership with Altice, of a pilot project for intelligent communication systems between the infrastructure and vehicles, "with the future of autonomous driving in mind". This is without forgetting the "strong environmental concern", reflected in the desire to "reduce the company's ecological footprint" by using photovoltaic solar panels for self-consumption. The company hopes that this will also help to "reinforce the lighting and ventilation of the A23 tunnels with photovoltaic energy", Pinto da Silva adds.