Night works will close parts of Madeira’s VR1 at Cancela
The first restrictions affect the entry slip road on Monday and Tuesday nights. A longer Machico-to-Ribeira Brava closure between Cancela and Pinheiro Grande is planned for Wednesday night.
Archived after its publication day. Search retains this original briefing for background and accountability.
Archived 31 August 2026Airport transfers, late shifts and evening journeys towards Funchal may take longer, so drivers should use the signed alternative rather than improvise on the VR1.
- The works are scheduled between 21:00 and 06:00.
- On Monday and Tuesday, entry 15 towards Ribeira Brava is due to close.
- On Wednesday night, the VR1 section from junction 15 to junction 14 is due to close in that direction.
- Weather can change the works and restriction times.
Three nights, two different restrictions
Work to widen the Ponte da Quinta as part of the Cancela junction project will affect the VR1 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The planned working window is 21:00 to 06:00.
On the first two nights, the entry slip road at junction 15 towards Ribeira Brava is due to close. Drivers are advised to join the VR1 at the previous or next suitable junction.
Wednesday has the larger diversion
For Wednesday night, the road authority plans to close the westbound section between junction 15 at Cancela and junction 14 at Pinheiro Grande. Traffic must leave at Cancela and follow the signed route via Estrada do Garajau, ER204 and ER102 before returning to the VR1.
Allow extra time and follow temporary signs. Navigation apps can lag behind a short overnight closure or try to send drivers back to a blocked entry.
Check again on the night
The road authority says the schedule can change with weather conditions. That matters during the current unsettled spell, so the published plan should be treated as the starting point rather than a guarantee that every closure begins and ends at the exact minute.
Airport passengers should protect the check-in margin, and anyone arranging a transfer should tell the operator which side of the closure the pickup starts on.
What you can do now.
- 01
Check the road authority's latest notice before leaving.
- 02
Allow extra time between 21:00 and 06:00.
- 03
Follow signed diversions rather than app shortcuts.
- 04
Tell a transfer provider about the route and flight time.
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