Barcelona City Council has announced a comprehensive €9 million investment package to rehabilitate three key pieces of the city’s architectural heritage: the Marina bridge, the Vallcarca viaduct, and the historic facades of the former Renfe workshops in Parc del Clot.
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The works, set to begin at various stages throughout this year, form part of the council’s wider Pla Endreça, a city-wide maintenance and improvement plan. This initiative underscores a commitment to preserving Barcelona’s structural and historical assets, echoing other recent efforts such as the €3.2m investment in historic building preservation across the city.
A Centenary Makeover for the Marina Bridge
The council allocates €6 million, the most significant portion of the funding, to the complete refurbishment of the Pont de Marina. This vital transport link, originally constructed in 1928, will undergo a 14-month renovation starting this September. The council timed the project for completion by autumn 2025, well ahead of the bridge’s centenary celebration in 2028.
According to the Barcelona City Council, recent technical inspections confirm the bridge is structurally sound and poses no immediate safety risk. However, inspectors identified several “mild and moderate” issues stemming from its age. These include superficial concrete degradation, oxidation of metal components, ornamental deterioration, and damage from humidity and water filtration. Consequently, these planned works are a preventative, integrated measure to halt this decline and extend the bridge’s lifespan.
Laia Bonet, Deputy Mayor, described the project as a “very important investment” in a statement reported by local outlets El Nacional and Tot Barcelona.
“This is a major intervention that would not be possible without the step-up we have been able to make with the comprehensive maintenance plan that is part of the Pla Endreça,” Bonet stated, highlighting the dual focus on both structural integrity and historical elements.
Furthermore, in addition to structural repairs, the project will update the bridge’s lighting and traffic light systems and install anti-pigeon nets on its underside. To minimise disruption, traffic will remain open throughout the works. Longitudinal lane closures will preserve one lane of traffic in each direction and the existing bidirectional cycle lane.
Restoring Industrial Heritage and Viaduct Integrity
The remaining €3 million will be split between two other historic sites. The Viaducte de Vallcarca, a centenarian structure built in 1923, will receive a €1.4 million investment. Works will begin in the final quarter of this year and will last approximately six months. The project aims to enhance the viaduct’s durability, safety, and overall appearance while preserving its historical features.
Meanwhile, the council will rehabilitate the seven striking facades of the former Renfe railway workshops in Parc del Clot, located in the Sant Martí district, with a budget of over €1.9 million. These remnants of Barcelona’s industrial past, which date back to 1858, were thoughtfully integrated into the park’s design in 1986. Restoration work will commence this summer and is expected to take five months to complete, securing a piece of the neighbourhood’s 19th-century legacy for future generations.
