article_detail

The days are numbered for one of Almería’s most iconic pieces of infrastructure. The Avenida del Mediterráneo bridge, which for decades has provided a vital crossing over the city’s railway tracks, is set to be demolished in the second half of May, marking a major step in the capital’s ongoing railway integration project.

 

The announcement follows the recent opening of a new connection to the airport road, linking the Los Molinos roundabout with the Almería football stadium roundabout. This key development has allowed traffic to resume, now flowing across four lanes, well ahead of schedule, despite earlier concerns due to adverse weather and a blackout.

 

Government sub-delegate José María Martín expressed satisfaction with the progress, calling the latest achievement “a great satisfaction,” and noting the importance of this milestone in paving the way for the larger transformation of the area.

 

With the motorway link now operational, the focus shifts to the next, more disruptive phase: dismantling the Avenida del Mediterráneo bridge. Preliminary works have already begun, and the complete closure of this major artery is expected before the end of May.

 

Martín confirmed that national railway infrastructure operator Adif is eager to proceed but must first coordinate traffic diversions and final preparations with the local authorities.

 

A temporary road solution is being developed to mitigate disruption. The final slab of the train tunnel, which is directly beneath the bridge, will be completed and used as a passageway for vehicles during demolition.

 

Despite what cinema might suggest, this demolition won’t involve dramatic blasts or swinging steel. Due to the proximity of residential buildings and the need to maintain partial traffic flow, the operation will be carried out in carefully planned stages.

 

Technicians have carried out what Martín refers to as “engineering archaeology”, studying the original construction sequence of the bridge in order to reverse it. Built from north to south, the bridge will now be dismantled from south to north.

 

The entire process is expected to take a minimum of three months, with temporary and localised traffic restrictions replacing a total shutdown of the surrounding roads.

 

As work moves along Avenida Sierra Alhamilla or Avenida de Montserrat, brief road closures will be introduced accordingly, ensuring that disruption is kept to a minimum.

 

For Martín, the success of the project so far is a testament to collaboration between agencies and the public’s patience. “Citizens have understood that we are possibly facing what may be the most important action of the 21st century in the city,” he said.

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Almería