Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

Work gets under way to remodel C/ Balmes, between Rda. General Mitre and Pl. Molina, in the district of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, making the street more pedestrian-friendly. The preliminary work was carried out at the weekend, reducing traffic circulation on the ascending side by one lane.

The goal of the work is to continue the transformation of C/ Balmes, gaining space for pedestrians with wider pavements and more greenery, in the process reconnecting with the neighbourhoods of Sant Gervasi-Galvany and El Farró. The section of the new C/ Balmes will be similar to the previous sections of the same street that have been remodelled in the last few years, from Gran Via to Plaça Molina.

The new pavement will be 4.35 metres wide on each side of the street, adding another 1.90 metres compared to the current width and offering more space for people to stroll in, plus 110 new trees.

The street will be reduced by one traffic lane to enable the pavements to be enlarged. Of the current four lanes (two in each direction), the street will now have three: two in the direction of the mountains (one for private traffic and one to be shared with buses) and one downhill in the direction of the sea for buses and private transport. This is the configuration that will be established for the street during the work.

The new C/ Balmes will also have a lane for services next to the pavement on the side nearest the Besòs with spaces for waste containers, bus-stops, parking places for people with reduced mobility, parking for motorcycles and Urban Goods Distribution (DUM). During the work, services such as waste containers will be transferred to nearby spaces (check the information poster that accompanies this news item).

In all, an area of 15,000 square metres will be renewed, with work to be completed early in 2026.