The renovation works on a key section of Barcelona's Meridiana avenue, connecting the districts of Sant Andreu and Nou Barris, have significantly increased in cost. The second of the four major renovation phases, stretching from Plaça de les Glòries to Passeig de Fabra i Puig, has seen its budget rise by 3.2 million euros. The initial investment was 18.99 million, but the complete overhaul of this kilometer of avenue is now estimated to reach 22.2 million euros.
According to Ricard Font, the city council's manager of mobility, infrastructure, and works, this cost increase is due to "unforeseen technical adaptations" and "improvements introduced during execution." Reasons cited include unexpected repairs to a collector, the complete replacement of lighting instead of just a third, the documentation of more 19th and 20th-century archaeological remains than anticipated, reinforcement of surface drainage, installation of thicker pavements, adjustments to irrigation systems for drought periods, and changes in traffic light signaling.
This section's renovation has been divided into three lots. The work on the 280 meters between Felip II and Garcilaso streets has seen a 14.43% cost increase (689,771.64 euros). The 300-meter stretch between Garcilaso and Cardenal Tedeschini and Pegàs streets has risen by 15.34% (977,147.38 euros). Finally, the remaining 570 meters up to Fabra i Puig have an increase of 19.72% (1.54 million euros).
The modification of the project's budget was approved with votes in favor from PSC, Barcelona en Comú, and ERC, with Junts abstaining and PP and Vox opposing. The city council maintains that the increase does not exceed the 22.3 million euros allocated in the budget for potential deviations.
Neighborhood associations, including the Federació d'Associacions Veïnals de Barcelona (FAVB) and groups from the Sant Andreu and Nou Barris districts, have called for accelerating the works for health and urban cohesion reasons. Meanwhile, the PP has criticized the cost overrun, attributing it to poor planning and requesting aid for affected businesses, while Vox believes the renovation is hindering mobility.
The transformation of Meridiana still has subsequent phases planned, including a section up to the Sarajevo bridge and another to the border with Montcada i Reixac. The project for the section leading to the Sarajevo bridge is currently in the drafting stage, with a completion timeline yet to be determined.
