Three public works in the Balearic Islands, under scrutiny for their deterioration

PalmThe College of Civil Engineers, Canals and Ports of the Balearic Islands has included three infrastructures from the Islands in its Catalogue of Actions in the Public Works Heritage: the na Pòpia lighthouse, in sa Dragonera; the Colàrsega bridge, in Ciutadella; and the Son Verí viaduct, at the Llucmajor station. These are engineering elements with historical and heritage value that, according to the entity, require rehabilitation, restoration and conservation actions, as well as better identification and dissemination.

The document was presented on April 9th within the framework of the II Congress on Public Works and Civil Engineering Heritage, held in Castellón, Valencia, and Alicante. The publication includes a total of 102 public works from across the State that require partial or integral interventions, as well as signage and dissemination actions.

According to the College, both the Son Verí viaduct – a work by Eusebi Estada, belonging to the old Palma-Llucmajor-Campos-Santanyí railway line – and the des Jueus bridge are in a state of abandonment. In light of this, they are demanding urgent actions to protect and conserve "public heritage that must be reutilized by both the people of Mallorca and visitors".

Regarding the Colàrsega bridge, the work of engineer Francisco Prieto y Caules and built at the beginning of the 20th century, it presents problems of undermining in the abutments and an aesthetic impact derived from the drinking water pipes that hang from the structure. In June 2024, a comprehensive rehabilitation plan was approved that should resolve these deficiencies, although the College considers it essential to complete the intervention with informative panels that highlight the work.

In relation to the na Pòpia lighthouse, designed by Antonio López y Montalvo and dated 1852, it is currently in a state of ruin. Therefore, a consolidation and rehabilitation project is proposed to recover it and make its heritage value visible.

The College emphasizes that these cases are only a few examples of an "forgotten" public works heritage in the Balearic Islands. In this regard, they offer to collaborate with administrations to promote recovery studies and actions.