The works on the Barcelona tram along Diagonal Avenue already connect Glòries with Verdaguer. This Thursday, the last weld of this section was made, at the confluence of Diagonal and Paseo de Sant Joan, thus culminating a joining process launched at the beginning of the year in which practically a hundred welds have been made along the route, reports ACN.
This section is expected to become operational in the second half of 2024, according to the technical director of the Mobility area of the Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) of Barcelona, Lluís Alegre, although he does not specify any date. On the other hand, he added that the railway work is currently at 70% and, from now on, some issues such as final tests will need to be carried out.
The technical director highlighted that this work where the connection was made "has a component of cohesion, of creating a network with the city." He also stressed that the work carried out on Diagonal Avenue with Paseo de Sant Joan was done with "betel welding, the first to be done in Europe in a track interchange".
This milestone in the tram works still has the connection with Francesc Macià pending. The chief engineer of the Barcelona City Council, Oriol Altisench, has not specified any deadline: "We continue with the planned schedule." Altisench did say that work will be done on the drafting of projects that are already underway, such as the collector that will run along Diagonal and the tracks and catenaries of this section.
Urbanization works already reach 85% completion
The urbanization works on Diagonal Avenue and Glòries square are very advanced, according to Altisench. The sea-side sidewalks of Diagonal Avenue, between Marina street and Paseo de Sant Joan, are already completed and only pending service connections such as lighting, irrigation, traffic lights, and fiber optics. As for the mountain-side sidewalks, only some sections are already finished. Likewise, the roadways have already been executed, where only the last layer of asphalt remains to be added, prior to opening to traffic.
On the other hand, the urbanization of Diagonal Avenue, between Marina Street and Castillejos Street, is also in full activity and with some sections already finished. In parallel, the new lampposts have already been installed along Diagonal Avenue, as well as the new traffic lights. Finally, in the Glòries square area, paving work is being carried out next to Castillejos Street.