The tasks to be done are:

• Fencing for the work area plus preparatory tasks
• Partial demolition of road surface and pavements
• Digging of trenches
• Renewal of old water pipes
• Provisional road surface and pavements

The urban revamp to the section between Urquinaona and Antoni Maura will see pavements widened to 4.05 metres and more spaces for people to walk in. A new Pl. Antoni Maura will connect the cathedral with the Mercat de Santa Caterina. The junction with C/ Jonqueres will also be reconditioned and a new pedestrian crossing created. Extra trees will be added to boost greenery, with paving and lighting also to be improved.

The transformation of Via Laietana is based on the Barcelona Superblock Plan, which moves on from the private transport model applied to date and centres instead on sustainable mobility.

This model for urban transformation promotes more space for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. The goal is a safer and more accessible street, with more spaces for public use, for connecting adjacent neighbourhoods better on each side, for boosting local commerce and cutting pollution and noise in the vicinity.

Disruptions to mobility during the work

Work will centre on the Besòs side of the street through until early April, occupying one of the downhill traffic lanes. However, the biggest disruption will come early in April, with work to be carried out on the Llobregat side of the street.

During the first stage, traffic heading in the direction of the mountains will be limited to just one exclusive lane for local people, access to parking and services in the section as far as Pl. Antoni Maura. In the direction heading towards the sea there will be a bus lane and a traffic lane for private vehicles.

The alternative route heading upwards will be via Av. Marquès de l’Argentera, Pg. Picasso, Pg. Lluís Companys and Ronda Sant Père. The 47, V15 and V17 bus services heading towards the mountain will be diverted along this route, while the 120 neighbourhood bus service will keep its usual route. This new configuration will also apply to journeys by bike.

In terms of commerce, shops and markets are to stay open during the work with updated information given on the location of loading and unloading areas.

No significant disruptions are planned at the exits to the metro system or in the spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility and hotels. The taxi rank in Pl. Antoni Maura will remain operative until work is carried out there, at which point it will be permanently relocated to C/ Joaquim Pou.

Information measures

A team of information staff have been working on the ground since 8 February to explain the disruptions to commerce and local people. An information leaflet and letter will also be distributed in the doorways of buildings in the vicinity of Via Laietana.

In addition, progress on the work can be followed with the regular newsletter from the district, as well as the mobile Telegram channel for Ciutat Vella.

Once the first stage is completed, work will start on the second section, between Pl. Antoni Maura and Pl. Idrissa Diallo.

The overall budget for the transformation of Via Laietana is 32.9 million euros.