Eight years after the Sant Llorenç flash flood, the works continue at half way

PalmaThe Sant Llorenç flash flood of October 9, 2018, which caused 13 deaths, reaches its sixth anniversary this Friday with the bypass works still half-finished. The work, which began in April and involves an investment of nine million euros, aims to increase the capacity of the bridge over the Les Planes torrent and reduce the risk of overflowing.

The president of the Council of Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, has assured that the works are "progressing at a very good pace." According to the island institution's forecasts, the road will be able to reopen to traffic at the beginning of next year, between January and February.

From four to ten water crossings

The main action consists of widening the bypass bridge so that it goes from having four water passages to having ten. According to the Council, practically all the new passages are already in place and have dimensions of 5.7 meters in width by 4.4 meters in height.

In addition, the torrent is being channeled with more than 200 meters of retaining wall to prevent overflowing. This part of the works is expected to be finished in a few weeks.

When the work is completed, the bridge will be able to absorb up to 500 tons of water per second, according to the Council. "The technicians tell us that, if rainfall were to occur like that of six years ago, the torrent would have the capacity to absorb all the water that accumulated," stated Galmés.