Barcelona City Council will invest €1.27 million to repair severe cracks and subsidence on Rambla Guipúscoa in the Sant Martí district. This extensive project addresses significant pavement damage and safety risks for pedestrians. Works are scheduled to begin in October and conclude in March 2027.
The prolonged repairs will cause substantial disruption to traffic and public transport. The first phase requires a complete closure of the traffic lane on the sea-facing side of the road. This interruption will allow for excavation and resurfacing. Vehicle access towards Besòs will face continuous alterations throughout the entire construction period. Additionally, bus lines H10, 33, and N8 must modify their routes. The Ajuntament assures residents that access to garages will remain unaffected. At least one traffic lane will always stay open in both directions on Rambla Guipúscoa.
Joan Carles Altamirano, the director of public space for Sant Martí, explained the underlying cause. He stated, "The Metro tunnel created a retention of water coming from the higher parts of the city, which accumulated there."
The severe damage, including uneven surfaces up to 40 centimetres high, poses a significant tripping hazard. Maintenance brigades first warned the council about the serious subsidence in 2023. The affected area spans 126.6 metres of the road and covers 4,200 square metres. This section of Rambla Guipúscoa connects Barcelona with Sant Adrià de Besòs. The council attributes the damage to a combination of factors. These include the recent drought and the ground's inability to absorb water. This specific location lies above the course of an ancient stream.
Underground Causes of Damage
The interaction between the drought and the old stream bed proved critical. Altamirano further revealed, "Coupled with the drought, the soil beneath became very dry. When sporadic rains occurred, they washed away the earth, leaving a void in this space." He added, "It was only being held up by the pavement's concrete." The subsoil became "totally empty of earth." The ground eventually collapsed under the weight of trees, benches, and urban infrastructure. This created a "structural failure of the road surface," according to the project report. The report identified a "generalised subsidence of the area" between the two Metro tunnel screens. This defect has tilted the ground on part of the rambla and the adjacent cycle lane.
Previous Repair Attempts Failed
The project report warns that "these steps create a risk of falls for pedestrians." They also pose "a road safety hazard for cyclists and vehicular traffic." The diagnosis concluded that "a conventional repair was not sufficient." This problem has persisted for "quite a few years," the report states. Authorities have attempted repairs "several times," resurfacing the rambla. However, the current state of the road proves these efforts were ineffective. The new plan involves excavating the entire area between the Metro infrastructure screens. It will also implement a "structural reinforcement of the pavement." This aims to prevent future subsidence.
Long-Term Solution Planned
The works will include installing drainage channels. These channels will direct water away, preventing it from accumulating beneath the surface. This measure aims to mitigate the risk of new landslides and further cracks. The municipal company BSM is currently in the process of awarding the remodelling contract. The project also involves repaving the entire street section. This includes both the sea-facing and mountain-facing sides. Workers will replace the pavement on the carriageway and the promenade. The new asphalt will be strengthened to better withstand heavy vehicles and buses. Altamirano acknowledged other cracks exist in the traffic lane. He clarified these are due to "different settlements between one area and another," not the subsidence. Georadar diagnostics have not detected further voids in these areas. However, soundings will occur during the reform to prevent "any possible ground failure."
This comprehensive repair aims to secure Rambla Guipúscoa for the long term. It will ensure the safety of thousands of daily commuters and residents. The project represents a significant investment in Barcelona's urban infrastructure. It addresses a persistent issue with a lasting solution.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
