It will be transformed from an unused, dirt-floored space into a large pedestrian boulevard spanning more than 21,000 m²: this is how the Gran Vía del Sureste in southeastern Madrid—located in the Ensanche de Vallecas—will be transformed by the construction project beginning this month, in response to a request from local residents.
The project, with a total investment of 13.1 million euros, will cover the section between Avenida de las Suertes and the roundabout next to the A-3 and is expected to be completed by spring 2028.
This new boulevard will be 37.6 meters wide and 560 meters long and will transform the current environment with areas for walking, relaxation, and recreation, as well as playgrounds, wellness spaces, and calisthenics areas.
In addition, according to the Madrid City Council,“an 180 m² ornamental fountain with water features and integrated lighting will be installed, along with new street furniture, LED lighting, and drinking fountains.”
What will the Gran Vía del Sureste look like after its transformation?
Another change the area will undergo is an increased presence of greenery: 875 trees will be planted , along with landscaping, shaded areas, and biodiversity features.
Vehicular traffic, meanwhile, will continue as usual, but with more space allocated to public transportation, pedestrians, and bicycles. After the renovation, the layout of Gran Vía will be as follows, from west to east:
- Sidewalk
- Bike lane
- On-street parking
- Local traffic lane
- Tree-lined median
- Two lanes for general traffic
- Tree-lined median
- Two lanes exclusively for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
- Central boulevard
- Two lanes for general traffic
- Tree-lined median
- Local traffic lane
- On-Street Parking
- Bike lane
- Sidewalk
The starting point of a broader project
The transformation of the Gran Vía del Sureste marks the starting point of a major green corridor stretching approximately 16 kilometers that will connect the main urban developments in southeast Madrid. These include: Valdecarros, Ensanche de Vallecas, Los Berrocales, Los Ahijones, El Cañaveral, and Los Cerros.
The city government compares this future infrastructure, “due to its scale and regional significance, to the role played by Paseo de la Castellana in the city center.”