The celebration of the America’s Cup Sailing 2024 in Barcelona has generated a series of significant investments by the City Council, with the aim of improving the city’s services and infrastructure, especially in coastal areas. For this reason, Barcelona’s beaches have been the object of significant investment, among other actions. These investments in Barcelona’s beaches not only seek to ensure the success of the competition, but also to offer a safe and pleasant experience for both residents and the thousands of visitors expected during the event.
Investments in Barcelona beaches
With the arrival of the America’s Cup, Barcelona’s beaches have become one of the busiest spots in the city. To cope with this increase in the influx, the City Council has allocated for investments in beaches an item of 2,494,364 euros. This for the coverage of various essential services on the beaches. These services include the hiring of informers who will provide assistance and guidance to visitors, as well as a reinforcement in the work of rescue and lifeguard.
In addition, the implementation of an assisted bathing service for people with reduced mobility has been contemplated, demonstrating the city’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion. The cleanliness of the commercial premises and the environment is also a priority, ensuring that the beaches are kept in optimal conditions throughout the event.
The investment also covers the maintenance of key infrastructure at the beaches, such as showers and walkways, as well as cleaning the surface of the coastal waters and sanitizing the sand. These efforts are essential to preserve the quality of the coastal environment and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all beachgoers.
Mobility and traffic management
One of the biggest challenges facing Barcelona during the America’s Cup is traffic management, especially in areas close to the competition, such as Barceloneta. To address this problem, the City Council has invested 965,503 euros in a mobility plan that seeks to reduce traffic-related problems.
This plan includes the reinforcement of public transport during competition days, which will facilitate access to the area without the need to use private vehicles. In addition, a double bus lane has been implemented on Trelawny Street. This will allow a more efficient flow of buses to and from the event area.
For cyclists, there are four new parking lots with a total of 400 spaces. There are also two temporary Bicing parking lots, which will be available during the competition. These measures facilitate access to the area. At the same time, they also promote the use of sustainable means of transport, in line with the city’s environmental policies.
As for the circulation of private vehicles, restrictions have been imposed to reduce traffic in the area. Residents and workers who need to access the area must have special authorization. To date, the City Council has issued 10,998 accreditations, ensuring strict control of access and avoiding unnecessary crowds.
Coastal improvement
These recent investments in services and mobility are in addition to a series of infrastructure improvements in Barcelona’s coastal neighborhoods. On this occasion, they have had a particular focus on the districts of Ciutat Vella and Sant Martí. The investment is 3.5 million euros. With them, the municipal government has carried out a series of actions aimed at improving public space in these areas.
The works carried out include the repaving of Marquès de l’Argentera Avenue and the renovation of the asphalt on Pescadors Street. The reform of the Drassanes square, as well as the Josep Carner promenade are included. These improvements seek to beautify the environment. They are also to ensure the safety and comfort of pedestrians and vehicles passing through these areas during the America’s Cup.
The Sailing America’s Cup 2024 is a sporting event of great international relevance. It also represents a unique opportunity for Barcelona to showcase its organizational capacity and its commitment to sustainability and innovation. The investments made by the City Council reflect a comprehensive strategy ranging from infrastructure improvement to the management of essential services.
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