The Barcelona City Council has definitively approved the projects for the second phase of the renovation of Diagonal Avenue. This measure will allow for the completion of the connection between the Trambaix and Trambesòs networks along the stretch between Verdaguer and Francesc Macià Square. The decision was supported by the municipal government (PSC), BComú, and ERC, while Junts and the PP joined in approving the specific collector project.
The project will involve the redevelopment of a 2.8-kilometer stretch and work on 115,000 square meters. The city council has allocated an investment of 62 million euros for the sewer and 53 million for the road renovation, while the Government of Catalonia will contribute 80 million for the railway infrastructure. The project will take 40 months to complete once the contract is awarded.
What the section between Cinc d’Oros and Francesc Macià will look like
Between Passeig de Sant Joan and Cinc d’Oros, the project will continue the section already completed in the first phase. The current sidewalks will be widened to 7.5 meters, and motorized traffic will be restricted to two lanes in each direction on the sides. The central median will house the tram platform and a high-capacity two-way bike lane, separated by flower beds.
In the section between Cinc d’Oros and Francesc Macià, the City Council will retain the sidewalks renovated in 2015 and focus the work on the central area of the avenue. The sides will have two traffic lanes and will lose the current one-way bike lanes, which will be integrated into the new 4-meter-wide central bike path.
Interchange at Francesc Macià
The renovation of Francesc Macià Square will involve a reorganization of transportation at the Llobregat end. The project calls for transforming the current stop into a transfer hub between the tram and urban and intercity buses. The platform will be expanded from a 10.90-meter section with a central platform to a 13-meter section with side platforms.
To facilitate this connection, the city council will reorganize the lanes starting from Fra Luis de Granada Street. The bus will have a dedicated double lane, while private vehicles entering the city will use the three side lanes. Additionally, the perimeter of the square will be renovated with new trees, and the surrounding bike lane will be modified.
Improvement of the sewer system
The approval includes the expansion of the Diagonal sewer line between Girona Street and Francesc Macià. This water infrastructure will increase the network’s capacity, thereby reducing the risk of surface flooding in this area.
With the completion of this link, the public transportation system will absorb part of the trips currently made by private vehicle. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (ATM) must now issue final approval of the infrastructure project in order to proceed with the signing of the financing agreement between the administrations.
