The Barcelona City Council has today reopened traffic in the Rovira downhill tunnel. The reopening of this tunnel, which had been closed since March 23, 2025, will restore the direct connection between Carmel and Baix Guinardó in the direction of the sea. This project has modernized an infrastructure that first entered service in 1987.
Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni visited the facilities prior to the launch. The city council has carried out a comprehensive renovation that included repairing structural defects and improving waterproofing. This work is part of the first phase of the transformation of the Rambla del Carmel area.
Safety and Technology Improvements
The renovation involved the construction of three evacuation galleries connecting both tunnels to facilitate evacuation in case of an emergency. The new safety system includes cameras with automatic incident detection, a public address system , and fire protection systems. Additionally, the lighting now features LED technology that automatically adjusts to environmental conditions.
The project also involved the complete renewal of the pavement with an ultra-thin material and the installation of a perimeter wall to control water seepage. These technological improvements will enable more efficient traffic management through information panels that will adapt to any incidents on the roadway.
Restoration of bus routes
Starting tomorrow, March 31, TMB bus lines V21 and H2 will resume their regular routes. The V21 will no longer travel along Passeig de Maragall toward the sea and will once again cross the tunnel. Meanwhile, the H2 will once again stop at the intersection of Carrer de Petrarca and Passeig de Maragall.
Although the road has fully reopened to daytime traffic, the city will implement nighttime closures over the coming months. These temporary closures will allow for the completion of technical adjustments and final programming of the new facilities.
