Paseo Nuevo Donostia

Situação inicial

Paseo Nuevo is an emblematic seaside esplanade in the Cantabrian Sea. The promontory with Monte Urgull is a scenic recreation area of San Sebastian. During storms, waves reach extraordinary heights.

This project is divided into two zones:

Zone 1
250 m long with a maximum height of 55 m above the level of the esplanade. There are two wide openings towards the boardwalk, filled with soil. The slope is smoother there with lush vegetation of shrubs and trees.

Zone 2
At the end of the boardwalk, towards the port, at the top of the slope runs a path between two fortresses located next to the Bateria de las Damas (Ladies’ Battery). At the bottom of this central area, there is an aquarium consisting of a semi-underground part (12 m x 6 m) that houses machinery, and an access ramp, about 20 m long. The slope is 145 m long, with a maximum height of 32 m from the height of the boardwalk. The slope describes a smooth curvature with abundant woodland at the top.

Both sites experienced frequent rockfalls, imposing a risk for pedestrians and parked cars and requiring continuous conservation. In zone 1, in autum 2012, a large block of 6 m³ fell on the road. The road had to be closed to traffic.

This event launched the planning of stabilization measures. Works started in July 2013 and were finished in 2015. After scaling and clearing works, the protective netting was installed. The nailings are between six and twelve meters long. Other at-risk sections were secured with SPIDER S3-130 and SPIDER S4-130.

Geologia

Sub-vertical rocky front with alternating hard and loamy sandstone layers of about 1 meter