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It’s been seven long months since we’ve had any news on plans to build a footbridge over the busy road linking Lomas de Cabo Roig with calle Creus and the rest of Orihuela Costa, and two decades since the project should have been started. But a company has finally been drafted in this week to design the bridge and work will soon get underway.

 

Of course, ‘soon’ is a relative term, especially when we’re talking about Orihuela City Council, an administration many locals feel is more than a little reluctant to hand money over to the coast. And there’s a long way to go between designing the bridge and actually building it.

 

Essentially, a company called Anta Ingeniería Civil has won the contract to design the project (not build it yet, just design it). They'll be paid €72,600 and have 2 months to complete the design.

 

The design must then be approved by the Alicante Road Authority, who might request changes. Once approved, the Council needs to tender again for companies to actually build the pedestrian bridge, which could take 9-12 months.

 

If everything goes to plan (!), construction could realistically start late 2026/early 2027. It’s estimated that the actual building work will take at least 4 or 5 months.

 

Councillor for Urban Planning, Matías Ruiz, said that the project represents a significant step forward in sustainable mobility in Orihuela Costa:

 

“With this contract award, we are taking an important step towards a safe and sustainable connection between residential areas and the main road network, promoting pedestrian and cyclist mobility.”

 

The bridge will be designed for both cyclists and pedestrians. There'll be a footpath at least 1.8 metres wide and a two-way cycle lane at least 2.5 metres wide. LED lights will be installed along the bridge for energy-efficient lighting.

 

 

Image: Unidos X La Costa