Keeping a bridge is also making history

In 30 April 2019, the Municipality announced the completion of the works at Ponte de Cavez initiated in October 2018 by the Infrastructures of Portugal. The intervention strengthened foundations of the pillars and treated the board: pavement, waterproofing, body guard and drainage. The bridge, classified as National Monument since 1910, thus continued to receive care long after its construction. This report documents that work; it does not evaluate the current state of the structure.

The announcement distinguishes two parts of an intervention: the support of the bridge, through the foundations of the pillars, and the surface of passage, with pavement, waterproofing and drainage. The painting of the bodyguards was only a portion of the works. A general photograph shows the bridge in the landscape, but not enough to document the reinforcement made in the foundations.

Compare this news with the chronology: the nineteenth century enlargement and the 2018–2019 undertaking are distinct interventions. Store a monument also produces new documentation, which must keep the date and scope of the work described.