New mobility in Valencia: two lanes for cars on Colón Street and changes to the EMT

The Valencia City Council has given the definitive green light to the traffic remodeling on the central Colón street in València that generated so much controversy and that the PP put in the spotlight during the eight years of the left-wing Government.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
24 November 2023 Friday 10:21
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New mobility in Valencia: two lanes for cars on Colón Street and changes to the EMT

The Valencia City Council has given the definitive green light to the traffic remodeling on the central Colón street in València that generated so much controversy and that the PP put in the spotlight during the eight years of the left-wing Government.

This commercial artery of the city, explained by the Department of Mobility, will modify the distribution of the existing circulation lanes (1 lane for motorized traffic and 2 bus lanes) to have 2 lanes for motorized traffic and 1 bus lane, all limited to speed 30. In addition, access to Colón Street will be allowed from Porta de la Mar, something that was prohibited during the Rialto Government (Compromís and PSPV) to avoid congestion on this street.

It is not the only change planned. The City Council indicated that the direction of circulation of Pérez Pujol Street between Roger de Lauria and Correos streets is reversed, so that access to it can be made from Roger de Lauria in the direction of Barcas. However, they insisted that traffic in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento continues as it does today. "It is not reopened to private traffic nor are new lanes created. Failure to comply with the limitations continues to result in a 200 euro fine for unauthorized vehicles," the mayor's team noted.

This document states that the main works will consist of the installation of traffic light groups, provision of new taxi stops, relocation of flower pots, railings and bollards, redistribution and new signage and the drawings of road markings on the road. It should be noted that the current terraces will not be eliminated, but rather they will be redesigned to adapt them.

The mayor of València, María José Catalá, who considers that with these changes the PP fulfills its electoral commitment, explained that with this reorganization they will bet on the arrival of more EMT lines to the center, “which is one of the great requests from the residents of the city and the merchants of the historic center.”

In total, up to 7 EMT lines return to the city center starting in December, in time for the Christmas shopping campaign that the mayor especially wants to promote. The lines are 4, 11, 16, 26, 31, 32 and 70. Lines 4, 11, 31, 32 and 70 join C1 and will run through La Paz and San Vicente streets. to the Town Hall square. And both 16 and 26 will arrive along La Paz Street to Poeta Querol.

For her part, the spokesperson for the Municipal Socialist Group, Sandra Gómez, denounced yesterday that "it is confirmed that María José Catalá's only project on mobility is to prioritize pollution and reduce space for people."

Gómez, who spoke before the media to report on the Mobility motion that confirms the reduction of sidewalks on La Paz Street, regretted the “opacity” with which the actions are being carried out.