With the goal of resolving traffic problems in Bidasoaldea, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the Hondarribia City Council have presented three significant projects. These initiatives, already in public exhibition, seek to improve the situation in Irun and Hendaia, easing road congestion that is common, especially during the summer months.
The first project involves a new bypass in Amutalde to reduce traffic volume between Amute and Mendelu. This road will connect the G-636 and N-638 highways before reaching critical points. The investment for its construction will exceed six million euros.
The second announcement concerns the complete modification of the entrance to the Amute neighborhood. The current intersection, regulated by traffic lights, will be replaced by a roundabout to facilitate vehicle flow in both directions. Additionally, a new bike lane (bidegorri) will be created, connecting Amutalde to Alameda. The cost of this project will exceed three million euros.
Thirdly, improvements will be made in the Guadalupe area, creating a pedestrian route around the Sanctuary and installing three pedestrian crossings. This will enhance safety for accessing the camp, the viewpoint area, and the parking lot, with an investment of 404,886 euros.
“"A solution had to be found, and it requires a change in the concept of the road, making it more urban even if it passes through the same space. Work has been done on a preliminary project that has generated enthusiasm, and according to the analyses carried out, the budget would be around one and a half million euros."
Looking ahead, and thanks to the creation of the new road in Amutalde, there are plans to build a bike lane and improve pedestrian safety between Amute and Mendelu, a stretch currently unsafe for cyclists and uncomfortable for pedestrians. The traffic reduction in this area, expected with the new bypass, would allow for the creation of a more urban and neighborhood-friendly street, which would also connect these bike lanes with those in Irun. This project is not yet in public exhibition.
Officials from the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa have announced that they expect construction to begin by the end of the current year. They emphasized that these types of projects are what they call “building a country, territory, and municipality,” and that these improvements “will represent a revolution in the mobility of the territory, the region, and Hondarribia.” The initial commitment was to invest 50 million euros in Bidasoaldea, although the final amount is likely to increase.
“"It is a day of gratitude and happiness for me. What began almost three years ago as a demand has become a commitment to collaborative work. It is an unequivocal sign that working together helps citizens have better infrastructure and services, which facilitate the daily lives of the residents of Hondarribia, and in this case also all inhabitants of Bidasoaldea, and therefore throughout Gipuzkoa."
