The scars on the asphalt and concrete tell the story of the thousands of footsteps and wheels that cross Barcelona every day. Sometimes, these urban wounds cry out for a break and some healing, especially in the summer. This is what will happen to two of the city’s busiest elevated thoroughfares: the Marina Bridge and the Calatrava Bridge (in Bac de Roda). The City Council has launched an ambitious renovation plan to repair their structural and aesthetic damage, which will result in imminent traffic restrictions in these areas.
Starting this coming September, barriers will be erected andworkers will begin their tasks. The construction work, designed to address problems such as leaks, cracks, and rust caused by wear and tear, will last 14 and six months, respectively. Although the renovation will disrupt daily traffic flow, the goal is to maintain coexistence with vehicles, avoiding prolonged total closures while carrying out improvements totaling more than six million euros.
Marina Bridge: 14 months of construction
The section of Marina Street that runs between Meridiana Avenue and Alí Bei has been waiting 12 years for a permanent solution, cordoned off with netting to prevent possible debris from falling onto the public roadway. Starting in September, and for 14 months, this stretch will undergo a major renovation valued at 4.3 million euros.
Following the signing of the contract on June 29, the municipal company BIMSA and the consortium formed by Eiffage Infraestructuras and Coynsa 2000 will be responsible for restoring a bridge suffering from water infiltration, dampness, scaling, and beams that expose their metal reinforcement. To address these issues , a new reinforced slab will be installed, which will also require a complete overhaul of the pavement, streetlights, traffic lights, and the drainage system.
As for traffic flow, construction will proceed alongside reduced traffic. Although the general rule will be not to close the bridge entirely, total closures may occur at very specific times. The details of this project were already shared with neighborhood and civic organizations at a meeting held on June 18.
The Calatrava Bridge: Closures between Sagrera and Bac de Roda
The second focus of this renovation is the Calatrava Bridge, located on Bac de Roda Street, on the stretch between València and Clot. Here, the project will be somewhat shorter: it will last half a year and has a budget of 1.8 million euros, with the work to be carried out by a joint venture between the companies Barcino Grup Obres i Serveis and Construcciones y Servicios Faus.
The structure requires attention to repair fissures, cracks, rusted components, and broken pieces of the classic “panot” paving. To the relief of those who use this route daily—and as reported by Metrópoli Abierta—at least one lane will remain open to traffic throughout the six months of construction.
