One of Barcelona’s key thoroughfares, Carrer de Balmes, will enter the final phase of a major redevelopment project on Monday, 16 March, permanently reconfiguring the street to prioritise pedestrians over traffic. The changes, which have been in a temporary state since work began in autumn 2024, will see the permanent removal of one traffic lane to allow for significantly wider pavements and new green spaces.

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The project affects the busy section of the street between Plaça de la Molina and the Ronda del General Mitre. On Sunday, the Barcelona City Council (Ajuntament de Barcelona) confirmed that works are expected to conclude by early summer, transforming approximately 15,000 square metres of public space.

A Pedestrian-Centric Redesign

The core of this redevelopment reallocates road space. The council has narrowed the roadway from 15 metres to 11.2 metres, substantially widening pavements on both sides of the street. According to council plans, both the eastern (Besòs side) and western (Llobregat side) pavements will now average 4.35 metres in width.

This expansion provides more room for pedestrians, facilitating the installation of new urban amenities. The project includes new street lighting, irrigation systems for newly planted trees, updated traffic lights, and new street furniture. These changes are part of a wider city strategy to improve urban liveability, mirroring other significant public space investments, such as the major renovation of Barcelona’s oldest guild headquarters in the Gothic Quarter.

Despite the reduction in width, Carrer de Balmes will maintain three lanes of traffic: two travelling uphill (northbound) and one travelling downhill (southbound).

This configuration, which has been in place throughout the construction period, is now set to become permanent.

Logistics and Final Touches

As work on the Besòs side of the street nears completion, the final phase will shift its focus to the Llobregat side. This involves executing the new, widened pavement and installing associated services. Additionally, El Periódico reports that a new service lane will be established on the Besòs side.

This service lane will feature:

  • 130 linear metres for goods distribution and loading.
  • 147 dedicated parking spaces for motorcycles.
  • Four reserved parking spaces for people with reduced mobility.
  • Designated areas for bus stops and rubbish containers.

Throughout March and April, crews will complete the final paving of several intersections with adjoining streets, including Carrer del Putxet, Sant Hermenegild, Copèrnic, Francolí, Santjoanistes, and Sant Elies. These crossings will progressively reopen to traffic as work finishes.

The city council assures residents that access to private garages and pedestrian crossings will be maintained during this final stage. However, rubbish containers will be temporarily relocated to nearby streets to accommodate construction.

A Long-Awaited Upgrade

Residents and businesses have discussed and called for improvements to Balmes Street’s layout and condition for over a decade. Under Mayor Jaume Collboni‘s administration, the project finally gained momentum, forming part of a city-wide push to modernise infrastructure and create a more sustainable urban environment.

By shifting the balance from vehicle dominance to pedestrian comfort, the redesigned street aims to create a more pleasant atmosphere for residents, support local commerce, and enhance one of the primary arteries connecting the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district with the city centre. This strategic overhaul of a major street reflects Barcelona’s ongoing effort to adapt its historic layout to contemporary needs, a challenge seen in projects ranging from street name debates to complex engineering works like the recent upgrade of Park Güell’s hidden water system.