Construction process starts for cycle-pedestrian walkway over the AP-7 at La Regia on the Orihuela Costa

Matías Ruiz, the Councillor for Urban Planning, and Víctor Valverde, the Councillor for Infrastructure, have announced that the cycle-pedestrian viaduct over the AP-7 and its connection to Calle Creus-Crta. San Miguel has been subject to a tender process. “We have successfully unblocked the process to ensure that the construction project for this footbridge, which has been highly requested by coastal residents for many years, can be realised as soon as possible,” Valverde stated.

The objective of this contract is to establish the services necessary for the draughting of the construction project, as well as the geotechnical and environmental studies and the topographical survey. The technical specifications consist of a preliminary study (geological and geotechnical studies, environmental studies, and a topographical survey of the surrounding area), a comprehensive construction execution project that has been agreed upon and approved by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility; a Health and Safety Study, a Construction Waste Management Study, a Quality Control Plan, a document that establishes standards for the maintenance and upkeep of the footbridge, and any supplementary technical documents necessary for the completion of procedures and the acquisition of permits and authorisations.

Similarly, Matías Ruiz stated that the project’s objective is to create a cycle-pedestrian promenade that ensures permeability while maintaining a sufficient level of safety. A comprehensive solution must be achieved by adapting the configuration (plan, elevation, and typical section) to connect it to the access ramps of the existing municipal road system. In reality, the structural solution will take into account mixed cycle-pedestrian use, with a minimum unobstructed width of 1.8 m and a two-way cycle lane of at least 2.5 m.

In addition, LED lighting will be implemented to ensure that the roadway is suitable for pedestrian and cyclist traffic, and the promenade is designed to complement the urban environment. A lighting study will be conducted to guarantee that the lighting is sufficient.

The successful bidder will undergo a preliminary study phase and the actual draughting of the construction project in relation to the description of the works. Matías Ruiz clarified that the design criteria will be aesthetic, constructive, durable, functional, economic, and environmental, with the technical considerations imposed by the Highway Department being fundamental.

We expect to complete the contract within four months for a total of €86,344.43, including VAT. The estimated cost of the footbridge construction is €1,370,000.