Car-Lanes Cut in Half for Greener, Safer Boulevard

The Avenida Alfons XIII in Badalona is undergoing a major urban overhaul aimed at reducing traffic dominance and enhancing sustainable mobility. The four current vehicle lanes are being reduced to two – one in each direction – freeing up space for wider pavements, new cycle paths on both sides, and increased greenery. This redesign affects over 23,500 square metres of public space and represents an investment of around €6 million. It forms part of the broader Impuls Besòs programme led by the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), which aims to accelerate urban, social and environmental renewal along the Besòs river corridor.

The upgraded avenue will act as a key metropolitan connector between Badalona, Sant Adrià de Besòs and Barcelona. It lies along the historic route of the old N-II national road and will now serve as a central spine in the Bicivia Metropolitana network – a system of major cycling routes linking Barcelona’s surrounding municipalities. Under the municipal Badalona 2030 strategy, Bicivia 3 connects Barcelona, Sant Adrià, Badalona and Montgat. The Impuls Besòs project will extend this cycle route from Avenida Alfons XIII in Badalona to Avenida Pi i Margall in Sant Adrià, ensuring seamless bike access across the northern metropolitan zone.

The new bike lane will directly link Badalona’s cycle network with those of Sant Adrià and Barcelona, reinforcing the avenue’s role as a major metropolitan connector.

In parallel, a bus priority system using AI-powered traffic signals is planned along the same corridor to speed up public transport journeys between Badalona and Sant Adrià.

Part of Larger Urban Revitalisation

Avenida Alfons XIII has not seen significant upgrades in more than 25 years. This transformation marks one of the most important urban renewals in Badalona’s centre in recent decades, shifting focus from car dependency to walkability, safety and environmental quality. The changes align with wider efforts to pacify central areas of Badalona and improve connectivity with neighbouring cities, making active and public transport faster, safer and more attractive for daily commutes.

Reported by 20minutos.es, N.C, 20m, en.ara.cat, ACN, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, elperiodico.com, 20 Minutos Barcelona.