Technical surveys carried out by over fifty professionals show that the connecting the tram systems using Av. Diagonal would have greater economic, social and environmental impact than other alternatives to connect the two tram networks. The project would cost 175 million euros and represent 72,000 daily journeys, reducing daily traffic by 12,500 vehicles on the road section between Pl. Francesc Macià and Pl. Glòries.

The technical surveys, produced by fifty professionals, conclude that the option which best matches the criteria set out for connecting the tram systems between Pl. Francesc Macià and Pl. Glòries is to use a route at street level along Av. Diagonal.

Four options for connecting the Tram Besòs and Tram Baix systems were weighed up: an underground and a street level route along Av. Diagonal, and an overland route and a bus combination using C/ Provença. In order to evaluate the alternatives, factors such as demand, topography, mobility, transport and environmental, economic and social impact were taken into consideration.

Av. Diagonal, a city artery with dense traffic

The conclusions showed that the option to connect the tram systems using a service at street level along Av. Diagonal would have a positive economic, social and environmental impact. The option entails the greatest socioeconomic return, at 11%, would strengthen the public transport system and optimise the routes of the L3 and L4 metro services.

It is estimated that the connection of the two systems would mean demand for the tram service would double along Av. Diagonal, with a total of 222,000 daily users. The cost of the project is 175 million euros and it would lead to a 0.4% drop in the overall congestion in the city, reducing the daily volume of vehicles along the central section of the avenue by 12,500.

A transparent process

The municipal government has started a dialogue with political groups and local residents to achieve the greatest degree of consensus possible for the infrastructure. To ensure transparency and allow for in-depth analysis, more details on the project can be found here.