(Portuguese) Readers Invited to Sign Petition in Favour of Serra da Estrela TunnelsThe Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range in Portugal that rises to 1,993 metres. It is situated between the municipalities of Seia and Covilhã and is about 100 km long and 30 km at its widest point. It is formed by a huge granite bedrock.A tunnel or chain of tunnels to improve connectivity has been discussed since long ago to link by road the cities of Viseu and Coimbra with Covilhã and Guarda, through Nelas, Oliveira do Hospital, Vide, Seia, Gouveia, Fornos de Algodres, Celorico da Beira, Unhais da Serra, Tortozendo, Teixoso and Manteigas.Three scenarios (A, B and C) are on the table, according to a study undertaken by Atkins. Scenario B has several tunnels, including a 8.6 km tunnel. For a map of scenario A, visit http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dd5hwc2q_7hfb8r5cx (proposed roads in blue). For scenario B, visit http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dd5hwc2q_9gz5sw8gk (proposed roads in orange) and for scenario C, visit http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dd5hwc2q_11fp4gcqhq (proposed roads in yellow). Visit www.estradasdeportugal.pt/site/v3 and click on Consulta Pública. Visit www.atkins.comEstradas de Portugal, the Portuguese road administration, has launched a strategic environmental assessment into the three possible solutions. A period of public consultation is opened until 12th February. It is important that the supporters of the Serra da Estrela tunnels make hear their voice so that decision-makers in Lisbon choose the solution that best meets the needs of users and least impacts the environment.To cross the Serra da Estrela, the supporters of the tunnel option (scenario B) are convinced that it is the best alternative to fulfil the needs of the populations thanks to its time saving, comfort, safety, less fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and less pollution. That solution will create better access and promote regional development and tourism, they say. The excavated rock will not be left in the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela but hauled away and stored near the Beira Alta and Beira Baixa rail lines to be subsequently reused on other civil engineering projects, paving and other applications.Although scenario C is, at first view, less expensive than scenario B, it is in fact more costly at mid-term in terms of operation, pollution, landscape destruction, fuel consumption, driving time, safety risks to drivers and road closures.Scenario C is the most risky option, especially for safety and because it does not reduce significantly the time and distance between Coimbra and Covilhã compared to existing options. Decision-makers must be aware that scenario C, which includes three tunnels and nine viaducts, would require many structures along its sinuous route with steep gradients that would affect the mountain and impact the hydrographic basins of the Alva-Mondego and the Zêzere-Tagus. Such a path would increase pollution, but snow, frost, strong winds and, above all, fog - very frequent in the Serra da Estrela all year round - would be worsening factors for safety.Therefore, the supporters of scenario B stress that before any decision is taken, both the environmental aspects and the costs of each option must be taken into account.For more info, read E-News Weekly 5/2008. So far, 660 people have already signed. Visit www.petitiononline.com/tuneisSE/petition.html to sign the petition. 06/08.