Barcelona City Council has approved a revised €2.2 million redesign for Vint-i-Sis de Gener de 1641 street, between Hostafrancs and La Bordeta, after construction workers found three entrances to Civil War air-raid shelters in March.
The decision allows the scheme, first approved in late 2025, to proceed with changes intended to protect and reinforce the underground structures. Residents, pedestrians and people who park on the street will see wider pavements, but the plan will remove 25 car spaces and 70 motorcycle spaces.
Three shelter entrances changed the street plan
Work stopped after the first shelter entrance was found on 3 March on the Creu Coberta side of the street. A second opening was identified the same day, followed by a third on 11 March.
The first access has a 12-step staircase leading to a walled-up section. According to the Ajuntament, Barcelona's city council, it measures 4.16 metres long and 1.25 metres wide inside. The third entrance has 15 steps and a 3.72-metre-long passage.
The discoveries forced changes to the proposed street layout because the underground gallery runs beneath the planned works. The revised project provides for lean concrete to be placed around the gallery, strengthening the ground so that construction does not create a future safety risk.
Wider pavements and fewer parking spaces
The street's existing carriageway and pavements are in poor condition, and some pavement sections do not meet accessibility requirements, the council said. The redesign will separate pedestrian and vehicle space and widen both pavements to 2.25 metres.
- 25 car parking spaces are set to be removed.
- 70 motorcycle parking spaces are set to be removed.
- Both pavements are planned to be 2.25 metres wide.
People who use the street for parking or daily journeys can follow the scheme through the Ajuntament de Barcelona's Vint-i-Sis de Gener de 1641 project notice.
Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.
