Bridges & Tunnels

The trams did use a series of bridges and tunnels. Some of these were constructed by the tramcompanies. On this page an overview is given. On a separate the famous Ponte Dom Luis I can be found.


Map of the mouth of the river Leça with the locations of the bridges

Bridges over the river Leça

Both of the old tramcompanies did own a bridge over the Leça river between Matosinhos and Leça da Palmeira.

  • The bridge of "Carril" was made of iron and used by the mule trams as well as the electric trams. By 1940 the route to Leça was relayed because of the new harbour and the bridge disapeared.
  • The bridge of "Carris" was made of wood and not used by the trams. Passengers of the steam tram could use this bridge to go to or from Leça da Palmeira. This bridge was scrapped in 1922, eight years after closing of the steam tramline.


Bridge of the "Carril" later used by the electric tram


Wooden bridge of the "Carris" (in the background)

 


Crossing of Rua de Gondarem with Rua da Agra. One support wall of the former viaduct still does exist.

Viaducts in the steam tramline

To avoid steep gradiënts three viaducts were constructed for the steamtramline.

  • In Rua de Correia to cross Rua de Tanger. On the same location now a new wider viaduct exists.
  • Between Cadouços and Rua Nova do Túnel to cross Rua Fonte da Luz.
  • In Rua de Gondarém to cross Rua da Agra.


The viaduct near Cadouços

Other viaducts

The viaduct in Rua de Conçalo Cristóvão was used by the lines 7//, 16 & 17.


The tunnel in Foz used by the steamtram

Tunnels

On some locations the tramlines were covered:

  • For the steam tramline a tunnel was made in Foz beneath the Monte da Luz. This tunnel still does exist.
  • To cross the Estrada da Circunvalação a tunnel does exist in Rua São Roque da Lameira which was used by line 10.
  • At the south entrance of Rua do Rosário was a tunnel owned by the tramcompany.
  • The under passing of the still existing office building across the north entrance of Rua Sá da Bandeira was also used by the trams.


Car 124 at the the tunnel in São Roque


The north entrance of Rua Sá da Bandeira