The Ministry of Public Works has completed a project 13 days ahead of schedule, in which the structure of the bridges has been secured with 20.000 square meters of waterproofing fabrics and 3.900 tons of new asphalt.
The Department of Public Works, Infrastructure, Architecture, and Housing of the Gran Canaria Island Council , under the direction of Vice President Augusto Hidalgo , has successfully completed the main waterproofing works on the Guiniguada viaduct , located on the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ring road (GC-3) . Thanks to this project, the entire southbound carriageway has been reopened to traffic, significantly improving flow on this key road for the island's road network. It is important to note that the works were completed in just 16 days, 13 days ahead of the initial deadline of August 30th.
During the final day, the final layer of asphalt, known as the wearing course , was laid using three paving machines simultaneously. Afterward, the white road markings were painted before the closure was lifted, allowing traffic to flow in both directions. This layer is composed of a special micro-surfacing that facilitates more efficient drainage of rainwater compared to conventional asphalt, thus increasing road safety.
The combined efforts of the regional government's technical staff and the professionals from the contracting company, Lopesan, allowed the northbound lanes of the viaduct to be opened to traffic in just seven days and the southbound lanes in nine days, far exceeding initial projections. In total, more than 18.000 square meters between the two decks have been waterproofed using asphalt membrane and advanced technology that guarantees watertightness and prevents leaks that could damage the infrastructure.
Prior to these works, the operators carried out deep milling, removing up to ten centimeters of the old asphalt from both decks of the bridge. This process involved transporting 1.650 cubic meters of removed material using 138 trucks to a specialized plant for processing. Finally, after installing the waterproofing membranes, two new layers were applied: an intermediate layer and a top layer of micro-surfacing. The final asphalt paving is scheduled to be completed soon, under nighttime conditions, to minimize disruption to traffic. The waterproofing of the Guiniguada viaduct represents a pioneering project on the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ring road, as it is the first time this type of intervention has been undertaken on an infrastructure with more than twenty years of service. This work is essential to guarantee the safety and durability of both the viaduct and the entire island road network, preventing water seepage that could affect the structural elements, especially the steel girders of the deck.
This work is part of the overall project to resurface and comprehensively improve eleven kilometers of the GC-3 ring road, promoted by the Regional Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure. Lot 2, corresponding to the work carried out on the Guiniguada viaduct, was awarded to Lopesan and is included in the contract valued at over eighteen million euros. The work is being carried out primarily at night to minimize disruption to daily traffic.
In summary, the early and efficient completion of the main works on the Guiniguada viaduct represents a significant step forward for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and its metropolitan area. The improved waterproofing notably enhances road safety and extends the bridge's lifespan, solidifying this infrastructure as a key element for island mobility.
