From this Friday, Badalona is deploying a large marine structure to repair the Pont del Petroli, with a 20-ton crane. The renovation, with a budget of over 4 million, is expected to be completed this autumn.
Badalona has begun a crucial phase in the rehabilitation of the Pont del Petroli, an emblematic symbol of the city that was damaged during the Gloria storm in 2020. To this end, a huge marine platform has been installed next to the bridge, which will serve as a base for repair work from the sea.
The structure, known as a 'pontona', measures 30 meters long by 18 wide and occupies 450 square meters. It has been towed from the Port of Badalona to the work site, covering approximately one and a half kilometers along the coast. This large infrastructure includes a heavy crane of about 20 tons that will allow the assembly of the bridge's pieces.
Details of the platform and safety in the work area
According to sources from the Badalona City Council, the 'pontona' has four pillars of 15 meters in length that will be anchored to the seabed, ensuring stability during the assembly process. The manager of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, Ramon Torra, present during the transfer, pointed out that although preparations are slow, the assembly will be much faster.
To protect residents and bathers, the council has marked off prohibited access areas both on the sand and in the water, clearly delineating the dangerous zones around the platform. These measures aim to prevent accidents and inconveniences during the development of the works.
Local impact and rehabilitation schedule
Daniel Gracia, Deputy Mayor of Territory of Badalona, highlighted that the choice of summer for these works is due to the fact that there is less risk of storms during this time, despite it causing inconvenience for beachgoers.
"We ask for understanding, it will be worth it," Gracia stated.
The total budget for the rehabilitation of the Pont del Petroli is 4,082,786.64 euros, co-financed by the City Council and the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. The official forecast is that the infrastructure will be operational and open to the public this coming autumn.
During the past year, the pieces of the bridge have been constructed in a dry dock, facilitating their subsequent assembly from the floating platform. This technique will allow for the restoration of the emblematic Pont del Petroli with guarantees of safety and efficiency, recovering a symbolic space for Badalona and its visitors.
What it means for the residents of Badalona
The rehabilitation of the Pont del Petroli represents not only the recovery of a local icon but also the enhancement of the tourist appeal and enjoyment of the Badalona coast. The work, although it generates temporary restrictions on the beaches, is expected to last until autumn, when its reopening is anticipated, thus improving the leisure and walking options for citizens.
The City Council insists that these actions will provide a safer and more resilient bridge against future storms, ensuring its legacy for the coming decades. Residents and visitors will be able to follow the progress of the work from a distance, observing how the imposing marine structure works to restore the Pont del Petroli to its usual splendour.
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