The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) issued a favourable conditional environmental compliance declaration for the execution project (DCAPE) for the Lisbon Red Line extension between São Sebastião and Alcântara. This decision marks an important milestone in the implementation of the project, allowing the contract to be awarded in the first half of 2025.
The conditions and mitigation measures established by the APA do not affect the route previously submitted in the Environmental Compliance Report for the execution project (RECAPE), so this major investment in new standards of sustainable mobility will be implemented as planned and widely publicised.
The Lisbon Metro, in conjunction with the executing entity, will ensure compliance with the conditions defined by the APA, which will continuously monitor the development of activities during the project’s implementation.
The Lisbon Red Line extension project involves the construction of a 4 km metro connection from the existing São Sebastião station southwards to the Alcântara district, situated 7 km west of Lisbon city centre. The extension will include four new stations (Campolide/Amoreiras, Campo de Ourique, Infante Santo, and Alcântara) and is expected to attract an additional 11 million passengers to the Lisbon Metro network. This will result in a reduction of 3,700 cars on the roads daily, provide an average travel time saving of 72%, and reduce CO2 emissions by 6,200 tonnes in the first year of operation.
This investment, along with other development projects included in the Lisbon Metro network expansion and modernisation plan, will contribute significantly to the reorganisation of metropolitan mobility, with a notable increase in public transport users and a decrease in the use of private transport. This will result in substantial environmental gains and improve both the overall quality of the service provided and the quality of life for those who live, work, or visit the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.
Other expansion projects include the Circular Line, the connection to the future Loures–Odivelas light rail line, the installation of a new CBTC signalling system, and the procurement of new rolling stock, for which a EUR 134 million contract has been signed with Stadler to deliver 24 metro trains, including an option for up to 12 additional vehicles.
Lisbon Metro extension plan
The Circular Line project involves the construction of a 2 km extension from Rato station on the Yellow Line to Cais do Sodré station on the Green Line, connected through two new stations. This extension will serve parts of the city that do not currently have access to the metro network and will provide links to the existing public transport system, including the heavy rail network via the Lisbon–Cascais railway line, for residents commuting from the northern edge of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. This extension is expected to add an additional 9 million passengers to the metro system and contribute to a reduction of 4,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
As part of the expansion programme, Lisbon Metro will also construct an 11.5 km light rail line, which, with 17 stations, will provide a connection between the Odivelas district (11 km north of Lisbon city centre) and the Loures district (15 km north of the city centre). This line aims to improve mobility between the northern districts and the Lisbon city centre, offering an eco-friendly alternative to individual transport.
In addition, Lisbon Metro has commenced a public consultation this year for another project, covering the Metro Sul do Tejo extension to Costa da Caparica and Trafaria, both districts separated from the centre of Lisbon by the Tagus River. Prior to the consultation, the authorities completed the initial studies for the expansion of Line 3 of Metro Sul do Tejo, developed by a working group comprising Almada Municipality, Lisbon Metro, and Transportes Metropolitanos de Lisboa. The project involves the construction of a 7 km extension with ten stations, the regeneration of public spaces, and the creation of the infrastructure needed to support active mobility.
These efforts are part of a larger strategy to modernise and expand the Lisbon Metro network over the coming years, creating a more sustainable and efficient public transport system that will benefit residents and visitors alike.
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