On Monday, Minister of Public Works Ana Pastor announced plans for a bridge parallel to the Pasaje Bridge, at the exit from La Coruña, with four lanes in each direction to better accommodate the 100,000 vehicles that cross it daily and expand its capacity. The bridge was opened 40 years ago and requires rehabilitation of its structural elements to increase its capacity. The new bridge will feature significantly wider sidewalks, which will allow for the installation of a bike lane, and the adjacent interchanges included in this project will be renovated.
Pastor explained that the study order has already been signed and that the Regional Planning and Highways departments are already working on this project, which will feature four lanes in each direction and «will transform traffic in La Coruña and throughout the province.» «Traffic volume is very high, and we had to take action,» the minister added, noting that in the coming weeks, the process to move the project forward will begin.
Another infrastructure project discussed at this meeting was the Third Ring Road, which will be completed in March, she emphasized. The minister described it as «the most important project of the last few decades» in economic terms, as the investment—including land acquisitions—exceeds 140 million euros.
Train to Caneliñas
Similarly, the Ministry of Public Works plans to put the rail connection to the outer port of Caneliñas, at Cabo Prioriño, out to bid in 2015. This will take place as soon as the construction project design—currently underway—is completed, in order to launch a line with an estimated cost of 119 million euros. «Our commitment to the rail project isn’t just to keep it alive—it’s that the plans are being drafted and will be finalized. As soon as they’re finished, the project will go out to bid,» said Pastor, who had last visited the port in late August 2012.
