The first 13 km of the A14 (between Figueira da Foz and the Santa Eulália interchange, access west to Montemor-o-Velho and north to the village of Ereira, in the district of Coimbra) opened to traffic in 1994, then still as an integral part of Main Itinerary 3 (IP3).
Only in 2001 did that original section become part of the A14, (the motorway that connects Figueira da Foz to the Coimbra-Norte junction of the A1) maintaining, to this day, its free nature.
From Montemor-o-Velho, alternative access to Figueira da Foz, for those traveling to and from Coimbra and intermediate locations, is via the old national road (EN) 111 and has created traffic constraints, particularly when passing through the towns of Mallorca (in the parish with the same name) and Caceira (Alhadas).
In Mallorca, Lusa noted an exponential increase in car and heavy vehicle traffic, especially when crossing the town, in the early morning and late afternoon.
The increase in traffic volume is still felt in the approximately 2 km between the Santa Eulália junction and that village in Baixo Mondego, on the straight known as Pontes de Mallorca.
The journey along this two-way road, flanked by vegetation – built several meters above the rice fields and with markings on the pavement that have not withstood the passing of the years – involves crossing five bridges, all built by the former Autonomous Road Board, three in 1937 and another two in 1940, even before the first National Road Plan dated 1945.
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