The start of asphalt works on Gran Vía Marqués del Turia marks another step in one of the summer's most significant urban interventions. These works, ongoing for several weeks, are testing the patience of drivers and pedestrians. Work is being carried out during the summer, when traffic typically decreases, to avoid major gridlock, especially on this avenue which sees heavy bus traffic from the EMT and school transport.
Currently, the redevelopment of Colón and Pérez Galdós is also underway, scheduled for completion by year-end. Following these, pedestrianization projects for San Vicente, San Agustín, Avenida del Oeste, and Plaza del Ayuntamiento will commence, set to significantly alter the city center in the coming years.
Gran Vía Marqués del Turia was in urgent need of this new asphalt, as the avenue, which handles over 60,000 vehicles daily, had not seen resurfacing work in over thirty years.
The mayor acknowledged that the work will cause inconvenience to residents. A sound-absorbing asphalt is being applied, capable of reducing traffic noise by ten decibels and CO2 emissions by twenty percent. Once dry, road markings will be temporarily painted.
In the preceding weeks, machinery has already worked to repair sidewalks and collectors to prevent puddling, a recurring issue on this avenue, particularly towards the Jardín del Turia.
During peak hours, significant traffic jams have occurred, especially heading towards Germanías, due to the loss of a lane for construction and persistent congestion for access to Russafa street. The median islands, functioning as square roundabouts, are also being modified according to work progress.
During nighttime operations, total closure has been implemented, with alternative routes such as Sorní, Colón, Burriana, and Mestre Racional. The entire project is expected to conclude in the third week of August.
The schedule has been coordinated with the neighborhood association of Pla del Remei - Gran Vía, representatives of local businesses, the Mobility department, the EMT, and the contracting company (Pavasal). The six EMT bus stops in the vicinity will remain operational.
Additionally, a new trench has been opened between Salamanca and Jacinto Benavente, reducing available lanes to two. The resurfacing will also permanently remove parking spaces on some transversal sections, which will now exclusively serve as loading/unloading zones and motorcycle parking.
