Part 4/9:
Construction began in 1999, and while the initial conception was sound, the reality of building a Metro in Porto’s challenging topography soon took its toll. The city is situated on steep granite hills which posed significant engineering challenges. One tragic mishap occurred in 2001 when part of a tunnel collapsed, tragically resulting in a fatality.
Additionally, revitalizing the iconic Dom Luis I Bridge to accommodate the Metro was a massive undertaking that required replacing much of the bridge’s iron framework. This adaptation, which preserved historical integrity while allowing for modern transit, symbolizes Porto’s commitment to balancing growth with heritage preservation.