Barcelona is currently managing 293 public works projects across the city, a decrease from the 330 recorded last summer, according to the city council. This reduction is attributed to the nearing completion of several major improvement works, coinciding with the final year of the current mandate.
Mayor Jaume Collboni's government aims to finalise as many projects as possible before the next municipal elections, scheduled for exactly one year from now. A key objective is to minimise disruption to daily mobility for residents and commuters, whether they travel on foot, by car, or using public transport.
Major Projects Nearing Completion
Last year saw the completion of works on Via Laietana, and in March, the Rovira tunnel reopened in both directions. This tunnel is a critical artery for city traffic, and its closure significantly affected mobility in the area. Laia Bonet, Deputy Mayor for Urban Planning, stated that the city is "bringing down the curve of the large transformation works" currently underway. Through the municipal works committee, the council seeks to balance its commitment to urban improvement and infrastructure development with residents' daily lives and their right to mobility.
This summer, works on Balmes street, between Plaça Molina and Ronda General Mitre, will conclude. This project involves widening pavements, which will result in the loss of one downhill lane for private vehicles to benefit pedestrians. In autumn, the Meridiana avenue works will also finish, extending its model of renovated pavements and a central cycle lane from Felip II to Fabra i Puig. This transformation will create a more pleasant space along the former urban motorway, from Glòries to the final, more challenging section of Meridiana, which will be addressed in the next mandate.
Key Infrastructure and Transport Upgrades
Also in 2026, the Vila i Vilà collector project in Poble Sec will be completed. This underground infrastructure is essential for preventing flooding in the lower Paral·lel area during heavy rains and includes street improvements. Additionally, the 'Endreça' plan includes smaller lighting projects distributed across all city districts, which are being executed over several weeks.
Next year, the remodelling of La Rambla is expected to finish. One of the first decisions made by the socialists upon taking office was to instruct the municipal company Bimsa to accelerate the project's schedule and phases. The revised plan aims to complete the transformation of the iconic promenade by early 2027, three years earlier than initially announced, allowing residents to vote with the works already finished.
By spring of next year, works in the Glòries area will also conclude. These include the construction of a collector on Badajoz street, the final urbanisation of the public space gained on Gran Via after the opening of the Glòries tunnel, and the duplication and construction of a new, controversial tram line via Ciutat de Granada. This will clear the tracks from the square and consolidate them along Diagonal avenue.
Long-Term Projects and Regional Works
Scheduled for completion after the elections, in late 2027, is the covering of Ronda de Dalt between Avinguda Vallcarca and Vall d'Hebron institute. This project visibly progresses only during summers and at night, leading to a slow pace to minimise traffic disruption on a road that cannot be closed without severely impacting Barcelona's traffic flow.
While many projects are municipal, Barcelona also experiences significant disruption from works carried out by the Generalitat. These include major infrastructure projects such as the ongoing construction of Metro Line 9, affecting future stations at Manuel Girona, Mandri, and Ronda del Guinardó. The extension of Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC) Line 8 also causes disruption, with several key points along its future route between Plaça Espanya and Gràcia.
By the end of this year, there is a target to reduce the impact of several points involved in these works. Notably, Urgell street is currently closed between Francesc Macià and Buenos Aires, and near Hospital Clínic on Rosselló street, for the construction of future L8 stations. The aim is to partially reopen traffic in these areas before 2027. Further delays are expected in Muntaner, where an emergency exit for the same line is being built. Similarly, around Plaça Espanya and Gran Via, a large tunnel boring machine is being assembled to traverse the Eixample starting this summer. These works will keep this main entry artery into Barcelona with fewer lanes and significantly alter the normal flow around Plaça Espanya and surrounding streets until the end of the decade.
