The Carranza bridge will reopen a month earlier than scheduled.

The Carranza bridge in Cádiz will reopen to traffic today, Tuesday, June 18, one month earlier than planned. The Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible will allow traffic on the José León de Carranza bridge, connecting Cádiz with Puerto Real, following the completion of maintenance and conservation work. The main works, which included replacing beams in span 30 and required the complete closure of the bridge, have been completed, and traffic will be restored this Tuesday, June 18 at 06:00. From now on, some minor works will be carried out that will not interfere with traffic.

With a budget of 3.2 million euros (VAT included), the works ensure safety and traffic conditions on the section between km 0.3 and 4.4 of the CA-36 highway, which registers an average of 19,270 vehicles daily, with 5.7% heavy vehicles.

The Carranza bridge was closed on March 17 to carry out major and delicate work. For three months, traffic was diverted via the second bridge and the San Fernando road. The work has been completed in record time. The Ministry of Mobility had the project well advanced before the bridge closure, highlighting that this emergency intervention was due to a foundation inspection. Technicians determined in 2017-2018 that span 30, the section closest to Cádiz, was affected by salinity, corrosion, and wind.

Although the structure was not in danger, a significant intervention was needed. The decision was made to replace parts rather than repair them. This section, exposed to the effects of high tide, was prioritized in the 3.1 million euro investment approved last year to guarantee the safety of the 55-year-old Carranza bridge.

Blanca Flores, subdelegate of the Government in Cádiz, welcomed the early completion of the works, coming almost a month ahead of schedule. She highlighted that, despite the technical complexity and remaining details, it is excellent news that the bridge will be operational before the start of the tourist season.

The mobility operation designed for public transport will return to normal in a few days, allowing the institutions involved to resume their usual routes. Flores expressed satisfaction with the investment of over three million euros, highlighting that the Ministerio de Transporte y Sostenibilidad of the Gobierno de España has delivered on such a necessary project for the province of Cádiz.

The work carried out included demolition and dismantling in span 30, cutting the deck and crossbeams to isolate the beams, underpinning them to prevent tipping, mobilizing and installing a 600-ton lattice crane with a 78-meter boom, and demolishing the removed beams. Specifically, six beams in span 30, measuring 44 meters and weighing 120 tons each, were replaced.

In addition, surface repairs were carried out on piers and abutments, including passivation of exposed rebar, recovery of concrete cover and edges, and the installation of structural bearings.

On the new deck in span 30, prefabrication, transport, and placement of beams measuring 2.20 meters in depth and 44 meters in span were carried out, using the same lifting equipment employed for the removal of the previous beams, among other actions.