Mallorca flood works just over half done after 13 died

13 people died in the 2018 flash flood in Sant Llorenç, Mallorca: eight years on, work on the town’s bypass is only just over halfway complete. Friday, 9 October, marks the anniversary as crews widen the bypass bridge over the ses Planes stream.

The nine-million-euro project began in April. Llorenç Galmés, president of the Mallorca Island Council, says it is progressing well.

More room for water beneath the bridge

The bridge is being widened to give water ten openings instead of four. Nearly all are in place. Each measures 5.7 metres wide and 4.4 metres high.

Crews are also building more than 200 metres of reinforced wall along the stream to prevent it overflowing. That work is due to finish in a few weeks.

Road could reopen early next year

Once the project is complete, the bridge should be able to take around 500 tonnes of water per second in a storm like the one on 9 October 2018, Galmés says. He says experts believe the stream could already carry the amount of water that built up during that flood.

The Mallorca Island Council expects the road over the bridge to reopen between January and February next year.

Topics: Town & community

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com