The urban improvement project
The commission for the urban transformation project of the old N-II and a section of the N-260 in Figueres has been approved by the Ministry of Transport. This action aims to improve the road in terms of urban section and will become a step prior to the works, which will culminate with the transfer of ownership to the City Council. An initial investment of around 5.5 million euros is expected.
The struggle for urban ownership
For years, the city of Figueres has claimed ownership of the road that runs through its urban area, especially in the most congested section, Salvador Dalí Avenue.
The previous government team commissioned a study that estimated at 8.2 million euros the necessary actions before the transfer of the road and at 1.4 million more to improve the firmness of the N-260. These improvements, with a total of approximately 9.6 million euros, were announced by the General Secretary of Infrastructure, Xavier Flores, last year.
The imminent intervention
The Ministry has launched preparations to commission the construction project, which will contemplate the ‘humanization’ of the road by rearranging the cross-section, widening the pavements, enabling pedestrian crossings and lanes bike, as well as improvements in the lighting system and urban furniture. These actions will have an expected tender budget of around 5.5 million euros.
Reactions to the news
The mayor of Figueres, Jordi Masquef, has positively assessed the ‘humanization’ of the road, stating that it will turn the city’s main thoroughfare into a greener and more peaceful boulevard. On the other hand, Joan Armangué, Commissioner for the Railway Transformation of Figueres and former mayor, has expressed that this action will make it possible to break the barrier posed by the old national highway, bringing the western sector and the future intermodal station closer to the center of the city.
