The 'Vallecas Abierto' project, presented by the Mayor of Madrid, seeks to revitalize a “heavily degraded” area surrounding the Vallecas Scalextric. The initiative, with a budget of 11.5 million euros, includes the creation of a 700-square-meter vertical garden and the establishment of facilities under the bridge, whose specific use will be determined in collaboration with local residents.
The construction, estimated to last two years, will begin this summer with the first phase of the vertical garden, expected to be completed by February 2027. Additionally, the project is anticipated to expand pedestrian space by over 3,600 square meters and facilitate connections between various pedestrian routes, including the pedestrianization of adjacent streets like Monte Olivetti.
“"‘Vallecas Abierto’ is what can be done right now and the best that can be done in an area where 300,000 vehicles pass daily."
The Mayor defended the proposal as a “real and possible” solution for the area, although he acknowledged that a future undergrounding of the bridge is not ruled out, an option that could be considered in a later phase in conjunction with the Abroñigal project.
“"The City Council is going to spend more than 11 million euros on a cosmetic action that does not solve the underlying problem, which is that the Vallecas Scalextric continues to divide neighborhoods, generate noise, and degrade the urban environment and the quality of life of residents."
However, the opposition has strongly criticized the plan. The spokesperson for the Socialist Municipal Group described the project as a “cosmetic action” that fails to address the structural problem of the Scalextric. Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Más Madrid in the City Council called it a “tremendous botched job” and insisted that the only real solution for residents, who have endured traffic for decades, is the demolition of the infrastructure.
