Mobility reports the closure to traffic of Jaime I Avenue in the early hours of Sunday to Monday due to parking construction work

The Department of Mobility announced this Thursday the new date for the planned closure of a section of Jaime I Avenue to traffic to begin construction of the new underground parking garage. Following the completion of preliminary work to relocate utilities and transplant trees, and after having to postpone the planned closure this week due to the forecast of rain, this section will be closed to traffic in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to the Councillor for Public Works and Mobility, Francis Muñoz.

The affected area will be between the intersection of Ricardo Bayona and Limones streets, where a new roundabout will be built, and Nicaragua Avenue. The upper section of Jaime I Avenue up to the intersection will remain open, the councillor added.

In addition to the closure of the section under construction, access to Jaime I Avenue from Marqués de Comillas, Tordo, and Panamá streets will also be closed to vehicular traffic to prevent vehicles from reaching the affected section. Furthermore, vehicles wishing to access Uruguay Avenue must do so via Nicaragua Avenue, while El Tordo Street will operate as a two-way street.

As previously announced, the first phase of the project will focus on laying the foundation for the future parking garage, which will be carried out using heavy machinery. Once this phase is complete, the excavation and construction of the slab will begin.

Francis Muñoz reminded everyone that the parking garage will have two underground levels and 406 short-term parking spaces. He also indicated that the Mobility Department, in coordination with the construction company, has reorganised traffic in the surrounding area, "which we will improve thanks to the new roundabout being finalised at the intersection of Ricardo Bayona and Los Limones streets."

The councilman explained that "one of the priorities when planning the project has been to minimise the impact on residents and businesses along the avenue." To this end, "we have decided not to carry out the project in stages to shorten the construction period, so that it will only affect Easter, summer, and Christmas."

Furthermore, while the total road closure is in effect, new loading and unloading zones will be set up on adjacent streets to "facilitate deliveries to the avenue's shops, hotels, and restaurants as much as possible." Specifically, there will be a new A loading and unloading zone established in the upper part of Jaime I, between Arnedo and Ricardo Bayona streets, and another on Uruguay Avenue, opposite the cemetery. Additionally, the loading and unloading area on the lower part of Maravall Street will be expanded.

Preliminary and preparatory work

As the Councillor for Public Works and Mobility pointed out, “before the road closure for the construction of the Jaime I parking garage, a series of essential preparatory works were carried out, in which every effort was made to avoid disrupting traffic and minimise inconvenience to residents.” These works included transplanting the trees affected by the parking garage construction, conducting exploratory excavations to locate and reroute utilities (primarily telephone, gas, and electricity), as well as creating a roundabout at the intersection of Los Limones Avenue and an additional pedestrian crossing on Jaime I Avenue.

Regarding the trees, the more than 30 Melia azedarach trees removed from the avenue have been replanted at the entrance to El Moralet Park (next to the Hermanos Martínez Munuera football fields), in Foietes Park, and at the Festa Espai venue (next to the Vicente Pérez Devesa pelota court).