The Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council has awarded the renovation works for Portal de Legutiano street, between Plaza de Bilbao and Plaza Carlos I, to the company Yarritu. The project will have a budget of 3.5 million euros and an estimated execution period of 50 weeks, as explained by the mayor, Maider Etxebarria.
The intervention will affect over 300 meters of the street, representing a complete overhaul of one of Vitoria-Gasteiz's main northern entrances. The project goes beyond just repaving; it includes a reorganization of public space to better allocate the street among pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicular traffic.
Mayor Etxebarria described the project as a "major" undertaking due to its budget, duration, and anticipated impact. The renovation aims to improve accessibility, update infrastructure networks, regulate mobility, and enhance the urban environment.
A significant visible change will be the construction of a segregated cycle lane, intended to strengthen the cycling connection of Portal de Legutiano with the city's wider network. The street will feature a dedicated space for bicycles, separated from both vehicular traffic and pedestrian walkways.
The project also entails a complete renewal of pavements, updating sidewalks, roadways, and other public elements. Furthermore, existing infrastructure networks will be upgraded, a less visible but essential aspect for a renovation of this scale.
New street furniture will be incorporated, along with the creation of tree pits and flowerbeds, and the planting of new trees. The council aims to increase green spaces on this busy street and improve its environmental quality.
Plaza Carlos I is also included in the project, making the reform a joint improvement of the area between this square and Plaza de Bilbao.
The mayor emphasized the goal of transforming this section of Portal de Legutiano into a street that is "more comfortable, more accessible, and more pleasant to walk and live on." The works will impact local mobility for nearly a year, though specific details on traffic management and phasing were not provided.
The award to Yarritu precedes the commencement of works, at a time when several streets in Vitoria-Gasteiz are undergoing urban renovations focused on mobility, accessibility, and public space enhancement.
Portal de Legutiano serves as a key entry and exit route with significant traffic, residential activity, and connections to established city areas. Consequently, the intervention will affect both local residents and daily commuters.
The City Council positions this project within its broader strategy for public space transformation, integrating civil works, cycling mobility, urban renewal, and landscaping.
