Paulista Avenue Should Close on Sundays Permanently, Says Mayor Haddad

08/19/2015 - 09h29

This past Tuesday (18), Mayor Fernando Haddad (PT) said that Paulista Ave., located in the central region of the city, will "probably" be off-limits to vehicles on Sundays -permanently- starting on the 30th.

An initial closure test took place at the end of June. This next Sunday (23), the road will be shut down completely for the second time, under two justifications:

1) That same day (23), Bernardino de Campos will inaugurate a bicycle path that will join Paulista to Vergueiro Street, in Paraíso (South Zone);

2) the CET asked for a last test before the final decision to permanently close the avenue, but, as indicated by the mayor, that decision has already been made.

"It's highly likely [permanent closure on the 30th]. The CET will be the one to decide [Traffic Engineering Company, within City Hall]", said Haddad, during the reopening of a theater in Mooca (West Zone).

"The technical studies are complete, and they show that it would be beneficial to the city. A second test will be done [this Sunday]. The CET requested a second and final test in order to make a final decision. If everything runs as planned, in terms of opening up to the public, the decision will be made", said Haddad.

According to the mayor, the CET consulted hospitals, clubs, and condominiums in the region, who did not oppose the closure. A Folha survey showed that the majority of Paulista hospitals are not opposed to the measure.

The association that joins local companies and businesses found caveats in the closure of Paulista Ave. every Sunday.

Paulista was closed to vehicles and open to pedestrians and cyclists for the first time on June 28th, during the inauguration of a bike path on the avenues.

OVERLOOKS

Next Sunday (23), city hall will celebrate the inauguration of two overlooks in the Paulista Ave. region.

The overlooks were assigned to businessmen for revitalization projects. One of them, located on a street behind the MASP, will provide a view of Nove de Julho avenue. It will have restaurants, cafes and bike racks.

Translated by SUGHEY RAMIREZ

Read the article in the original language

	Adriano Vizoni/Folhapress
	Paulista Avenue should close on Sundays permanently