The ongoing stormwater collector project at the port of Torrevieja has necessitated the relocation of another 20 craft stalls, known as ‘hippie’ huts, this week.
The works, led by the water company Agamed, aim to mitigate flooding issues on Rambla Juan Mateo and the port area. The project, announced in March by the Council, is expected to be completed by Easter next year.
Workers began fencing off the affected area last Friday, and by Monday, the dismantling of the stalls had started. Councillor for Markets, Antonio Vidal, stated that these stalls will be moved next to the recently renovated Customs building, where they will stay until the project’s completion. This relocation ensures the merchants have shelter and space to operate.
The project includes connecting a new large underground rainwater box installed in the port dock with Rambla Juan Mateo through Paseo de la Libertad. This phase of work was postponed until after the summer to avoid traffic disruptions during the peak season. However, there is still no update on how long Avenida de la Libertad will remain closed or how the works will impact the existing trees along the central road.
The project, with a base tender budget of 3,880,294 euros, is designed to create the city’s largest rainwater channel, measuring 298 meters. The channel starts at Calle Pedro Lorca, where existing drains will be enlarged, and includes a large archway at Paseo de la Libertad to redirect water to the port basin. A purification system will be installed to reduce pollutants reaching the sea.
The final section, from the ‘hippies’ to the sea, is the largest, featuring three 3×1 meter boxes, with a slight diversion to avoid the old Mínguez dock. The work also involves diverting other wastewater networks via a new pumping station.
