- The planned works have a budget of 3,717,915.36 euros and an execution period of 9 months
- Marisol Garmendia: “Renaturalization reinforces flood defense and will make it easier to connect to the pedestrian walkway and bike lane. The Government of Spain preserves the safety and sustainability of the areas on which it acts”
- Cristina Laborda: "This is a very important economic investment that will allow us to continue making progress in the full development of the Txingudi Special Plan"
The government delegate, Marisol Garmendia, and the mayor of Irun, Cristina Laborda, presented this morning the naturalization project of the Artia canal as it passes through the Osinbiribil area, with the aim of ensuring defense against floods. Among the issues that include this naturalization would be the modification of the course layout, replacement of walls, the naturalization of the margins, or the extension of the pedestrian cycling route existing on the margin of the Bidasoa River. The project marks a nine-month implementation period with a budget of four million euros. In addition, this action will favor the implantation of species typical of the area, with the maximum variety and richness possible. The works, which cover a stretch of approximately 200 meters and an area of operation of a total area of approximately 13,030 m2, will have a budget of 3,717,915.36 euros and an execution period of 9 months.
Marisol Garmendia highlighted the importance of the project to improve the sustainability of the area affected by this project. “The Government of Spain, through Costas, once again demonstrates its commitment to protect the environment while increasing the quality of life of citizens. Either with the adaptation of the coastline or, as in this case, to naturalize the area and prevent the risk of flooding”. The delegate of the Government in the Basque Country has shown her satisfaction for the implementation of this work “which will benefit both the area on which we act and the citizens of Irun”.
For her part, Cristina Laborda wanted, first of all, “to thank the Government of Spain for once again betting on Irun. This is a very important economic investment that will allow us to continue making progress in the full development of the Txingudi Special Plan. The mayor of Irun explained that this work “will finish off the park of Osinbiribil, its river façade and facilitate the connection with the pedestrian promenade and bike lane of Juan Thalamas Labandibar. It is therefore a very important step in our urban cohesion and sustainability policies.”
New gateway
The project comprises the final stretch of the Artia regatta in the municipality of Irun, from the GI-636 road to its mouth in the Bidasoa estuary. The course of the Artia regatta currently has a rectilinear layout within the scope of the project, delimited by concrete slopes of high slope. “Through the proposed actions,” said the delegate of the Government, “these walls will be replaced by slopes with less slope than the current ones, which, in addition to allowing the stability of the margins, will be revegetated, increasing the naturalness of the riverbed.”
In addition, the existing concrete walkway will be demolished, together with its supports that hinder the canal, and a new wooden walkway will be executed, larger and recessed with respect to the Bidasoa riverbed, whose stirrups will be cemented by micropiles on both margins, outside the riverbed. With this action, a stretch of high-voltage power line will be buried and a medium-voltage power line will be eliminated.