Barcelona City Council reopened the Rovira tunnel‘s descending tube today, March 30, 2026. This restores a direct connection between the Carmel and Baix Guinardó districts, heading towards the sea, after a 12-month closure.

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The City Council had closed the tunnel on March 23, 2025, for an extensive renovation project. Mayor Jaume Collboni visited the facilities before their re-opening.

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This integral reform addressed structural issues and improved waterproofing. It forms part of the first phase of the Rambla del Carmel transformation.

Enhanced Safety and Modernisation

The renovation included constructing three new evacuation galleries. These connect both tunnel tubes, facilitating safe exits during emergencies.

New safety systems now feature cameras with automatic incident detection. They also include public address systems and advanced fire protection.

Additionally, the tunnel’s lighting system uses self-regulating LED technology. This adjusts brightness according to environmental conditions, enhancing visibility.

Improved Infrastructure and Bus Routes

The project also involved a complete renewal of the pavement with an ultra-thin material. The City Council also installed a new perimeter wall to control water seepage effectively.

These technological upgrades will enable more efficient traffic management. Informative panels will adapt to any incidents on the roadway.

From tomorrow, March 31, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) bus lines V21 and H2 will resume their regular routes. The V21 will now use the tunnel again, no longer diverting via Passeig de Maragall towards the sea.

The H2 bus will also reinstate its stop located at Carrer de Petrarca with Passeig de Maragall. This change directly benefits daily commuters in the affected areas.

Future Adjustments Planned

Despite the full daytime reopening, the City Council will implement nocturnal closures over the coming months. These intermittent closures will allow for final technical adjustments and programming of the new installations.

Originally published by Barcelona Secreta. Read original article.