The Mayor of Penela, Eduardo Nogueira dos Santos, has called on the media and parliamentary groups to visit the municipality to witness the impact of the closure of the former IC3 road. Following a series of storms that ended on February 10, approximately 100 kilometres of the road have been closed due to pavement damage, causing significant disruption. Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) stated that the project design is in its final contracting phase, with delivery expected in June, after which the construction tender will be launched. The project is estimated to cost at least 1.5 million euros and involves complex earthworks and structural stabilisation. Meanwhile, the municipality has invested over half a million euros in upgrading alternative routes, as the road closure continues to affect local residents, businesses, and emergency response times.