The Barcelona City Council is undertaking the installation of mechanical pedestrian ramps on Poesia Street, in the Montbau neighborhood, within the Horta-Guinardó district. This long-awaited initiative represents an investment of €7.34 million and aims to resolve accessibility and mobility issues on the section of Poesia Street between Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron and Carrer Vayreda, characterized by a sustained 10% gradient. The project also includes the renovation of lighting, improvement of vehicle parking, and sidewalk expansion. Construction is expected to continue until the summer of 2027.
Mayor Jaume Collboni visited the construction site, highlighting that these works are part of the Neighborhood Plan, considered the city's most significant public investment instrument for allocating resources where they are most needed. Collboni noted that this intervention on Poesia Street is part of the Mountain Neighborhood Plan, which prioritizes investments based on the topography and morphology of the neighborhoods, rather than income level. He emphasized that mobility and accessibility are key challenges in areas like Montbau, with an aging population, and that these specific investments respond to the demands of neighborhood associations.
The new ramps, one meter wide, are being installed on the Besòs side of Poesia Street, between Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron and Carrer Vayreda, and will operate exclusively in the upward direction. The mayor emphasized that this is the first pedestrian ramp installed in Barcelona's history, facilitating the daily lives of residents, especially the elderly and those needing to transport shopping.
The comprehensive project includes the repair and expansion of sidewalks, improving circulation spaces on both the Besòs and Llobregat sides. 64 parking spaces for vehicles and 10 for motorcycles will be maintained. Vehicle traffic will be eliminated in the upward direction between Carrer Harmonia and Carrer Vayreda to adapt the downward lane for public transport and emergency services.
The renovation of public lighting includes LED luminaires and cylindrical galvanized steel columns. Sidewalk paving will be done with artificial stone slabs of the Montbau type. Maintenance work and the planting of four new trees on the Besòs side are also planned, along with the installation of double handrails on the lower stairs and improvements to the sewage network, covering a total area of approximately 5,500 m².
A specific cover will protect the ramp mechanisms from pine needles and resin from nearby pine trees. This structure, inspired by traditional systems, will channel vegetation debris into the gardens, minimizing visual impact and preserving the relationship with the Montbau Gardens. The cover's design will draw inspiration from poetic forms, with an estimated budget of €1 million.
