A new bridge linking two mining villages in southern Spain and Portugal opened to traffic on Thursday following an investment of EUR 2.5 million, local officials said.

The inauguration of the bridge over the Guadiana river which acts as the border between the two countries means the Spanish village of La Granado is now just 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) away by car from the Portuguese village of Pomarao.

The mayor of the nearby Portuguese town of Mertola, Jorge Rosa, said before it was necessary to drive 140 kilometres by car to travel between the two villages.

“This will revive and boost commercial, social and cultural ties,” he said.

The European Union covered 75 percent of the cost of the bridge while the rest was divided equally between Spain and Portugal.

Spain and Portugal have boosted transport links since they each emerged from lengthy right-wing dictatorships in the mid-1970s which left them largely isolated from the rest of Europe. (Via Expatica)