The new Via Laietana begins to walk

BarcelonaWith fewer traffic lanes and wider sidewalks, the new Via Laietana began operating this Sunday. Both figuratively—it was inaugurated with a huge civic celebration—and literally—with hundreds of people strolling along it all day despite the harsh sun. Three years of debates, construction work, and inconvenience are behind us. Ahead lies the examination of how the avenue will function once it opens to two-way traffic—with restrictions—starting this Monday, and whether it truly achieves the goal its renovation sought: to become a friendlier artery that no longer serves as a border between the Gothic Quarter and the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina, and Riera districts.

Speaking to reporters, the First Deputy Mayor for Urban Planning, Laia Bonet, celebrated the fact that the city can now count on a new Via Laietana, which "invites you to walk," starting this Sunday. She herself, accompanied by a large delegation from the City Council, walked the kilometer or so along the avenue, which is now occupied by tents with children's games, concerts, castles, stilt walkers, and even a magician who, despite his skill, couldn't pull off the most anticipated trick that the heat had caused. In this arduous undertaking, the tent a few meters down distributing slushies was more successful.

In addition to the high temperatures, conversations among neighbors strolling in the area were dominated by the vehicle. Some were still chatting among themselves. how it will work Starting this Monday, traffic will be able to cross Via Laietana in both directions for the first time in three years, albeit with restrictions. Public transport and bicycles will be allowed.

Thus, while private vehicles heading seaward will be able to travel in one of the two lanes with no restrictions other than the speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour, in the single lane heading towards the mountains, private vehicle traffic will be much more restricted. In addition to buses on lines 47 and 120, only residents of the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina, and La Ribera neighborhoods and Barceloneta, taxis originating or arriving within the restricted traffic area, users of parking lots, vehicle repair shops, and hotels, hostels, or guesthouses in the area, and freight delivery vehicles will be allowed to use this lane. The latter, however, will be allowed to operate during restricted hours and only as far as Plaça Antoni Maura. A camera system will monitor traffic to ensure that no one else does so starting in September.

The debate over mobility has generated public statements in recent days from both the Catalan business sector grouped under the umbrella of "Muévete por Barcelona" (Move for Barcelona) and the Association for the Promotion of Public Transport (PTP). While the former criticized the obstacles placed on private transportation and warned of the risk of turning the street into a "tourist" avenue, the latter warned of the inconveniences of bicycles and buses sharing the downhill lane and denounced the road's "loss of functionality" so that two bus lines no longer return to the V15 and V17. Residents of the Gothic Quarter also lamented the fact that they are not authorized to use Via Laietana in the mountain direction. This Sunday, both Junts per Barcelona and the PP also questioned the mobility model that the new Via Laietana will have. Bonet defended it, but emphasized that during the first few months, its functioning will be monitored to see if adjustments need to be made.

Cambó's footprint and other demands

For those who want to explore Via Laietana on foot rather than by car, the avenue offers a very diverting route, allowing you to follow, for example, the footsteps of Francesc Cambó. It now houses the Grand Hotel Central and has a nod to the Catalan politician on its ground floor with the Can Bo Restaurant. It was distinctive for its height and the garden that still stands on the roof. Sagnier–, the headquarters of Foment del Treball and Workers' Commissions –the latter recently renovated– or the historic headquarters of Caixa Catalunya, which now houses BBVA. A financial powerhouse that, despite the tourist pressure that strains all commerce in the city center, still coexists with a few emblematic shops, such as the La Colmena pastry shop or the comic book store.

Despite attempts to change the building's use, the street also still houses the National Police headquarters, closed this Sunday. The Post Office and former investigating court buildings on the lower part of Via Laietana are undergoing redesign, and are to house a digital innovation hub and a good handful of municipal offices, respectively. Two projects that should help breathe more life into a street that, after three years of stagnation, has begun to move forward this Sunday.