The Minister of Sustainability and Environment, Catalina García, has visited the rehabilitation works of the iron bridge, an emblematic infrastructure from the late 19th century located over the Palmones river, in the municipal area of Los Barrios (Cádiz). The project, with a public investment of 306,020.82, co-financed with European funds MRR-NextGenerationEU, started on May 16 and has an estimated three-month deadline. Along with the Minister, attendees of the visit included the mayor of Los Barrios, Miguel Fermín Alconchel, the territorial delegate of Sustainability and Environment in Cádiz, Óscar Curtido, the head of the Protected Natural Spaces service, Felipe Oliveros, and the deputy mayor, Antonio Dávila, among other participants.
As explained by Catalina García, this project is part of the «recovery of historic infrastructures» strategy promoted by the Andalusian Government to promote sustainable mobility, enhance heritage, and improve access to natural areas of high ecological value. The iron bridge, with a length of 42 meters, was built following the lattice beam typology, very characteristic of the engineering inspired by the French architect Gustave Eiffel.
This comprehensive rehabilitation, as emphasized by the Minister, «will respect the structural and aesthetic essence of the original work, adapting it for cycling and pedestrian use«. Additionally, she specified that the works are progressing «at a good pace» and, together with the cleaning of the surroundings and security measures, there is «a waste collection system to preserve the natural environment during the intervention». The project also includes a finish with a ‘wood’-type printed concrete texture that will provide «a more friendly and integrated aesthetic in the natural environment, as well as functional and resistant».
‘Eurovelo 8’ Cyclotourist Route
The Minister also highlighted «the strategic location of the bridge at the beginning of the old road between Facinas and Los Barrios, currently converted into a forest path«. She detailed that this route is part of the ‘Eurovelo 8’ cyclotourist route, «one of the major European axes of cycling mobility that connects Cádiz with the rest of the Mediterranean, and represents a significant driver of economic and social development in the area». Furthermore, she emphasized that «it is a true privilege to be able to cycle or hike through all these landscapes surrounded by nature».
The Minister of Sustainability and Environment highlighted that these actions represent a unique opportunity to «reconcile historical heritage with the new demands of sustainability, citizen use, and ecological connection between territories». In this regard, she underscored the importance of restoring historic bridges as «functional elements of an Andalusian green network designed for cyclists, hikers, and visitors seeking active and environmentally respectful tourism».
The rehabilitation of the iron bridge adds to other similar actions already underway or completed by the Ministry, such as the recovery of the San Alejandro bridge – also from the 19th century – installed in the San Pedro river cut, connecting El Puerto de Santa María with Puerto Real, within the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park. Additionally, the construction of a new cycling footbridge over the Guadarranque river is planned in the coming months, which will consolidate a continuous green mobility axis in the province.
«These actions not only represent an investment in sustainable infrastructure but also rescue structures full of history from oblivion, returning them to citizens as useful, safe, and environmentally respectful spaces. In this way, the Andalusian Government reaffirms its commitment to environmental protection, the enhancement of heritage, and the promotion of alternative, inclusive, and responsible mobility models,» highlighted the Minister.