Major mobility changes because of L8 works at Plaça Espanya

The extension of the L8 line of Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC) enters a new phase this January, with significant mobility impacts around Plaça Espanya. The Departament de Territori, Habitatge i Transició Ecològica begins preliminary work to assemble the tunnel-boring machine on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and, from February, excavation begins on the underground gallery that will connect with the logistics area of Joan Miró park.

From 12 January, traffic will be altered: Diputació street will be closed between Llança and Tarragona. Vehicles will have to divert via Entença and Calàbria towards Aragó and Tarragona to reach Plaça Espanya. Access for residents, services and emergencies will be guaranteed up to Llança, and users of the shopping-centre car park will be able to enter and leave via that point. The V7 bus stop moves to Vilamarí.

For cyclists and users of personal mobility vehicles, a new two-way cycle lane is being enabled on Llança, between Diputació and Gran Via, connecting with the cycling network of Sants and Eixample. These measures will remain in place until excavation of the tunnel is finished, with possible extensions in the logistics area during boring.

In Joan Miró park, the structures for the soil conveyor belt are being completed and acoustic protections installed. From February, the micro-tunnel-boring machine will be assembled and excavation of the gallery will begin.

On Gran Via, preparatory tasks for assembling the tunnel-boring machine begin this month. From 26 January, the occupation will be extended to Vilamarí. Traffic on Vilamarí will be required to turn towards Gran Via in the Besòs direction, except for buses, emergencies and residents. It will not be possible to cross Gran Via or turn towards Plaça Espanya from Vilamarí. The section between Sepúlveda and Gran Via will become a cul-de-sac and will be two-way. Vilamarí’s cycle lane will be closed, with alternative routes via Calàbria or Rocafort, appropriately signposted, recommended. Pedestrian crossings will be enabled on the Besòs side of the junction.

The L8 extension provides for a new 4-kilometre section and three stations: Hospital Clínic, Francesc Macià and Gràcia, as well as the remodelling of the existing Plaça Espanya and Gràcia stations. Investment exceeds 400 million euros and is expected to benefit 19.5 million users a year. The works are funded by Europe and will continue until summer.