The Alzira council terminated the contract with Vialterra on June 16, considering that the company had abandoned the works. Consequently, the definitive guarantee of 524,312.65 euros was seized, and proceedings for damages and prohibition of contracting were initiated.
Vialterra began the construction of the institute, the oldest in the capital of La Ribera Alta, in August 2024. Nine months later, in April 2025, they abandoned the work with only 20% of the building completed. The construction company formally notified the council of its intention to terminate the contract, leading to the initiation of the termination process.
On July 31, Vialterra filed a 'recurso de reposición' (appeal for reconsideration) against the council's decision, arguing that the original project had omissions making it unviable to continue without a modified project, and thus blaming the council for the breach. The company also seeks the full return of the deposit and a 3% compensation.
The mayor of Alzira, Alfons Domínguez, views this as "a strategy to delay the resolution" and a request "made in bad faith," as it was filed on July 31, knowing the response time and the August recess for plenary sessions. Nevertheless, an extraordinary session has been convened to reject the appeal before September.
Domínguez also announced that the Conselleria d'Educació (Regional Ministry of Education) has approved the extension of the Pla Edificant delegation for IES Jaume I and an increased budget to resume the works. The tender for the new contract will be "imminent," with the aim of awarding it to a new company by early next year.
The Alzira City Council's stance is supported by technical reports and the Consell Jurídic Consultiu de la Comunitat Valenciana (Consultative Council of the Valencian Community), which confirm the validity of the contract termination due to Vialterra's culpable breach of contract.
