The area connecting Sodupe in Güeñes and the neighborhood of Bolibar now boasts a new 1.5-kilometer route. This path utilizes a segment of the historic La Robla railway, once used to transport coal from the Asturian, Leonese, and Palentian mining basins to Altos Hornos. The project, initiated in late 2024 through an agreement between the City Council and the Provincial Council, involved an investment of over 400,000 euros, funded by the provincial entity.
Key among the works are the renovation of a footbridge and, notably, the rehabilitation of a 55-meter tunnel that was previously "completely unusable," according to the mayor, Juan Andrés Iragorri (PNV). "It was our biggest obstacle. It had become a dumping ground for debris from old schools and was gradually closed off, overgrown with vegetation. We faced significant challenges removing rubble, rebar, and concrete, all of which required treatment," explained the mayor, expressing his "special enthusiasm" for reclaiming "such an emblematic area" with its rich historical and social value, deeming it "perfect for this environment."
The route features a minimum width of three meters, incorporates drainage and slope stabilization systems, and boasts "a suitable surface to ensure the safety and comfort of users," stated Sonia Pérez Ezkerra, the provincial deputy for Transport, Mobility, and Tourism (PSE), during a site visit yesterday. "A historic infrastructure has been recovered, creating new spaces for sustainable mobility," she added, noting that this route is part of 'Route 5' in the Historical Territory of Bizkaia's Cycling Routes catalog and aligns with a stage of the Coastal Camino de Santiago, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This initiative also brings closer the prospect of connecting Balmaseda and Bilbao via a secure itinerary. Remaining works include the cycle bridge currently under construction in Alonsotegi over the Cadagua River, utilizing part of an old La Robla train bridge, and another section planned in Güeñes, in the Orbijana area, extending to the border with Zalla.
Within Las Encartaciones, the Transport deputy also visited Sopuerta yesterday with the mayor, Agustín Cuadrado (EH Bildu), to inspect the repair work on four wooden bridges along the Montes de Hierro greenway, funded by another provincial investment of 300,000 euros. Years ago, a project was proposed in this locality to link the greenways of Bizkaia and Cantabria through the Herreros tunnel. Pérez Ezquerra indicated that this has been incorporated into the Mobility Law as a matter of general interest, and discussions are underway with the Cantabrian Government "to explore potential financing options."
