Badalona City Council has started significant asphalting work on Alfons XIII Avenue, a critical metropolitan artery connecting three municipalities and four neighbourhoods. This major upgrade addresses 25 years of neglect on one of the city's most important streets, aiming to improve urban quality.
Mayor Xavier García Albiol announced the commencement of works via social media, highlighting the administration's commitment to urban improvement. He stated, "The commitments become reality." The mayor visited the street to speak with local residents. He noted that "a street that had gone 25 years without asphalting, where thousands of residents pass, had been demanding an absolutely necessary improvement." This project forms part of the council's broader strategy to enhance urbanisation across its districts.
Major Metropolitan Connection
Alfons XIII Avenue is a key thoroughfare for the entire metropolitan area. It links Badalona directly with the neighbouring municipalities of Santa Coloma and Sant Adrià. The avenue also provides a route towards Montgat, making it a crucial regional connection. This improvement will therefore revalue the four local neighbourhoods that border the street: Congrés, La Salut, Can Claris, and Gorg.
Ambitious Remodelling Project
The current asphalting is part of a more ambitious remodelling plan for Alfons XIII Avenue. This larger project began in February, alongside work on Francesc Layret Street. The initiative is integrated into the "Impuls Besòs" plan. This plan is managed by the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB). The project will act on a surface area of 23,500 square metres. Its primary goal is to reverse years of "deterioration and abandonment" along this vital route. The objective is to convert the old section of the N-2 road into a welcoming, accessible, and re-naturalised civic axis for residents.
Enhancing Public Spaces and Mobility
The most significant transformation will occur in the road layout. The existing four lanes for vehicles will reduce to just two. This change will free up substantial space. It will allow for significantly wider pavements, improving pedestrian access and safety. A new two-way cycle lane will also be installed. This lane will directly connect Badalona with Sant Adrià and Barcelona, promoting sustainable transport.
Additionally, the area will become a tree-lined promenade. It will feature new seating areas, encouraging community interaction. Modern LED lighting will enhance safety and aesthetics. A renewed drainage network will also address historical deficiencies in the zone, preventing future issues. These improvements aim to foster more vibrant neighbourhood life and reduce reliance on cars.
Project Timeline
Given the extensive nature of the works, the remodelling will occur in three distinct phases. The first phase started in February and has a duration of six months. It is expected to conclude by late summer. The second phase will last four months. This stage covers the section between Alfons XIII Avenue and Santa Coloma Road. The final push will last one and a half months. This last stage extends from Santa Coloma Road to Bogatell Street, completing the transformation.
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Originally published by Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life. Read original article.
