Inauguration of noise barriers on the Gran Via in Barcelona

The President of the Generalitat Regional Government, José Montilla, and the Mayor of Barcelona, Jordi Hereu, inaugurated the new section of the Gran Via on March 17th. It is partially covered from Rambla de Poble Nou to Sant Adrià de Besòs. During the celebration, Barcelona's Mayor Jordi Hereu stated that "we have recovered the quality of living" and "what was once a highway into Barcelona has been converted into just another street in the city". Mayor Hereu assured that the noise level had been reduced from 80 decibels to slightly more than 60 (El Pais newspaper).

The barrier panels were placed longitudinally over the end of the overhang formed by the new section of the Gran Vía, crossing bridges over this important artery of the city thanks to which it is no longer a traffic barrier almost impossible to cross.

According to the project of action, an idea of the Architectural Office of Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliablue, the noise insulation of the central section of the new Gran Vía is the result of two barrier surfaces located facing each other on either side of the overhang.

The lateral barriers are located on two levels and a metallic structure gives rigidity to it all. The design takes into account the visual impact as seen from the housing located around it as well as for the pedestrians and from the vehicles circulating in the central section of the highway.

The prototypes of the barrier panels built have served to minimize construction costs and maximize structural and acoustic effectiveness. (La Vanguardia newspaper) SEIS DRACE collaborated on the final definition of the panel prototypes and built, hauled and installed the panels.

For more information::
http://w3.bcn.es/fitxers/premsa/070316dossierinauguraciogranvia.699.pdf