Work has begun this week on a major €1.1 million project to resurface a key section of the Ronda Sud ring road in Granollers with sound-absorbing pavement, an initiative aimed at improving the quality of life for residents and enhancing road safety.

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The project, led by the Generalitat de Catalunya’s Department of Territory, will see a 1.5-kilometre stretch of the C-352 road that passes through the town’s urban core receive a complete overhaul. The primary goal is to mitigate the persistent roadway noise that affects hundreds of homes located alongside the busy thoroughfare.

This investment in Granollers, a major town in the Vallès Oriental comarca, mirrors broader regional efforts to combat noise pollution from major transport arteries. For instance, it follows similar strategies seen in projects like the recent €40.5 million plan to install noise barriers along the AP-7 motorway in Baix Llobregat. This reflects a growing focus on the environmental impact of infrastructure.

A Technological Solution to Urban Noise

The centrepiece of the three-month project is the installation of a specialised pavimento fonoreductor, or noise-reducing pavement. This type of road surface is engineered to significantly dampen the sound generated by the friction between vehicle tyres and the asphalt.

According to engineering experts, these surfaces often incorporate porous materials or rubberized asphalt compounds. The porous structure allows sound waves to be absorbed rather than reflected, while rubber additives can reduce vibrations, leading to a noticeable decrease in ambient traffic noise for the surrounding community.

More Than Just a New Surface

Beyond the new pavement, the works include a comprehensive series of upgrades to ensure the road’s long-term safety and durability. The Department of Territory has outlined several key interventions:

  • Preparatory treatment of the road base in areas with significant wear and deformation.
  • Repair of expansion joints on viaducts and other structures.
  • Repainting of a viaduct’s railings.
  • Improvements to the road’s drainage systems.
  • A complete renewal of all vertical and horizontal road markings, as well as safety barriers and markers.

According to a report in El Periódico, the works will primarily occur during daytime hours, from 10:00 to 20:00, Monday to Friday. This schedule aims to minimise disruption to peak-hour traffic. Drivers should anticipate temporary lane closures and clearly signposted diversions throughout the construction period.

A Safer, More Respectful Artery

The intervention is part of a wider push for urban infrastructure that better integrates with residential areas. In a statement, the Department of Territory explained the project will transform a critical section of the C-352 into a road that is “more secure and respectful of the urban environment of Granollers.”

This focus on creating more liveable urban spaces through strategic infrastructure investment is a recurring theme across the Barcelona metropolitan area. From the major flood defence works on Avinguda Meridiana in Barcelona to the ambitious €260 million vision for a green hub in Sagrera, authorities are increasingly prioritising projects that balance mobility with environmental and social well-being.