Encamp Launches €6.7M Pedestrian Renewal of Avinguda Joan Martí

Encamp parish council has launched the first phase of a €6.7 million urban renewal project on Avinguda Joan Martí, transforming the main artery into a pedestrian corridor reaching the Ràdio Andorra tunnels. Spanning nearly a kilometre in four phases over 30 months, the initiative began last Monday with works on Carrer de la Molina.

This initial phase covers about 500 metres from Prat de Genil roundabout to Carrer de la Molina and will run for 12 months. Carrer de la Molina remains closed to all vehicle traffic until around 12 March, with one sidewalk open to pedestrians. On the affected Avinguda Joan Martí section, southbound travel is prohibited from the Prat de Genil roundabout to the Molina junction, diverting drivers via Mirador road to Ràdio Andorra or Avinguda Príncep Benlloc and Riberaigües road.

The L2 national bus line faces the biggest changes. Its southbound Molina stop relocates to Poblet roundabout by Roc Arnau café for the entire phase, while Riu Blanc and Prada de Moles stops are suspended for the first two months as buses reroute via Príncep Benlloc and Riberaigües—or Vila road in some accounts. To offset disruptions, services now run every 10 minutes, with six buses per hour on weekdays (up from five), four on Saturdays (up from three), and a new night route departing Encamp national station at 10pm.

Encamp deputy mayor Xavier Fernàndez highlighted successful prior upgrades further north, noting the staggered subphases of roughly 50 metres ensure no property endures the full 30 months of disruption. Improvements include narrowing roadways, expanding sidewalks, renewing stormwater, water and telecom lines, installing uniform street furniture, security cameras, redesigned bus shelters, and granite paving suited to Andorra's climate.

State Secretary for Energy Transition, Transport and Mobility David Forné endorsed the pacification drive, emphasising gains in public transport uptake and less car dependency. He acknowledged initial backlash, as in Escaldes-Engordany, but predicted long-term approval. On FC Andorra match days, Vila road closes to private vehicles for about two hours, while L2 and Funibus maintain alternate routes.

Phase two will create a new public square near Prada de Moles. Officials expect uneven impacts on properties despite the extended timeline.