Valencia (02/10/2007).- Mario Flores, Regional Councillor for Infrastructure and Transport, announced that the extensions to the Alameda and Avenida de Francia will have eight lanes - each will have four new lanes, in each traffic direction.

The Councillor highlighted some of the features of the new "Alameda-Avenida de Francia-Port of Valencia" connection infrastructure. This project, currently underway in the Grao area, will mean the development and transformation of a degraded area of the city into an urban zone, covering some 143,000 m2. Moreover, it will accommodate a Formula One urban circuit, where the European Formula One Grand Prix will be held, this coming August.

In this context, it has to be mentioned that both the Alameda and Avenida de Francia will be equipped with landscaped medians of 3 and 10 metres respectively. Overall, there will be more than 20,000 m2 of green space created in this area.

Furthermore, each of the avenues will have wide footpaths: 10 metres in width on each side, in the case of Avenida de Francia, and 15 and 35 metres wide in the case of the Alameda. In addition, about 80 streetlights will be installed and about 345 parking spaces will be created in the public thoroughfare.

Flores emphasized that with these actions, "we will recover a degraded area and convert it into a quality urban space; not only will this area be for the citizens to enjoy, but it also means that the city of Valencia takes another step in opening up to the sea and in connecting, fluidly and comfortably, with the suburbs along the coastal area".

He also stressed that the works initiated yesterday, Monday, for the construction of the F1 circuit, will involve implementing other intervention measures, such as ducts for water and electricity pipes. The aim is to leave the area prepared for its future development, and thereby, avoid any subsequent disturbances to the neighbours, as it will not be necessary to cut off or dig up streets.

Participation of Valencian Companies

The Councillor also emphasized that Valencian companies were participating in the project for constructing the Formula 1 circuit. Specifically, the works in the Grao are being carried out by the joint venture UTE FCC Construcción, SA -PAVASAL, SA -BECSA, SAU; this corresponds to Area A of the track.

Meanwhile, the UTE OBRASCON HUARTE LAIN, S.A-ECISA, CIA GRAL. DE CONSTRUCCIONES, S.A-CONSTRUCCIONES LUJAN joint venture is responsible for the development of the Juan Carlos I Marina, in the Port of Valencia, which corresponds to area B of the circuit. Additionally, the company, Hormigones Martínez, will take on the construction of a pedestrian walkway, over the former course of the River Turia, which will join the suburbs of Moreras and Grao.

In this context, the Councillor values "the presence of companies from Castellón, Alicante and Valencia in this project - this shows how competitive our companies are and represents a Comunitat that is involved in an emblematic project, both at a sports level and in recovering the urban element of Valencia".

The Formula One circuit in Valencia will pass along the inner dock of the port and around the streets of the future suburb which will be constructed between the rail tracks, the port and the former course of the River Turia. The circuit will be 5,473 metres long and the track will have a width of 14 metres.

Source: Valencia Street Circuit