Following years of waiting, the pedestrian footbridge over the railway tracks in the Altabix neighbourhood of Elche is now open to the public. The long-awaited infrastructure answers a historic demand from local residents, connecting the E-24 and E-20 sectors which were previously split by the Alicante to Murcia railway line.
The Mayor of Elche, Pablo Ruz, accompanied by the Councillor for Public Spaces, Claudio Guilabert, announced the opening of the massive structure. Although work on the south-side staircase and the landscaping of the surrounding area are in their final stages, the bridge is already open for pedestrian use.
According to Ruz, the execution period took slightly longer than originally planned to address requests made by residents. This included the installation of screening panels to block views into the balconies of neighbouring buildings. At the same time, the planting and green enhancements of the surrounding area are currently being finalised. The Mayor stated that the launch of this pedestrian bridge, which reunites a neighbourhood that was split in two, is a historic milestone for the government. An official inauguration alongside local residents will take place in the coming weeks.
The structure spans 44 metres across the train tracks and is made of more than 2,000 pieces. It features a deck that is 5.5 metres wide and is elevated seven metres above the railway line due to the natural unevenness of the terrain. Access to the footbridge is available via two ramps from Pintor José Cañizares Street, or from the southern end of the deck where a staircase and another ramp have been built.
The project also incorporates the redevelopment of the surrounding environment, creating fully accessible spaces for pedestrians, people with reduced mobility, and bicycles. The scheme includes green spaces, LED lighting, tree planting, and the installation of a wire mesh designed to prevent graffiti.
