Gran Via renovation project has received its official green light from Barcelona City Council, paving the way for a major transformation of the key artery near Glòries.
The council’s Government Commission has granted initial approval for the €2.62 million scheme, which will widen pavements and prioritise sustainable mobility.
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According to the official announcement, works are expected to be tendered in December and begin in the second quarter of 2026.
This significant intervention targets the stretch of Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes between Castillejos and Padilla streets. Consequently, the project aims to create a higher quality urban space that rebalances the area in favour of pedestrians, cyclists, and greenery. The works are scheduled to last approximately ten months.
Gran Via Renovation Project Aims for Greener, Safer Streets
First Deputy Mayor for Urban Planning, Laia Bonet, emphasised that the action will improve connections with nearby neighbourhoods. Furthermore, it will create new pedestrian spaces, dedicated cycle lanes, and green zones. “This intervention is another example of Barcelona City Council’s commitment to making Glòries and its adjacent streets a more pleasant, sustainable, and safe space for people,” Bonet added.
The current layout is a temporary urbanisation following the opening of the road tunnels. This setup has limitations affecting public space quality, particularly due to narrow pavements in an area with high vehicle traffic. The approved plan will reorder an urban space of 8,894 square metres.
Pavements will be widened to approximately six metres, a substantial improvement for pedestrian flow. Additionally, new alignment trees will be planted, including plane trees along Gran Via and jacarandas on Padilla and Castillejos streets. New street furniture will be installed, and an existing fountain at the mountain-side corner of Castillejos street will be restored.
The roadway itself will be reconfigured to a width of six metres. This will feature a 3.5-metre-wide circulation lane exclusive to buses and taxis on the mountain side. A separate, two-metre-wide unidirectional cycle lane will also be established, enhancing the city’s cycling network alongside other recent major transport infrastructure upgrades.
The Gran Via renovation project represents a continued shift in Barcelona’s urban planning philosophy. It moves away from car-centric design towards creating healthier, more liveable public realms. This focus on sustainable mobility and improved public space is part of a broader strategy to enhance quality of life for residents across the city.
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