City´s main thoroughfare now one way

Traffic in the Avenidas was more chaotic than usual yesterday, when Conde Sallent became a one way street (towards Plaza España), a situation which will continue for the next eight months at least. While there were no traffic jams early in the morning, by mid-day the flow of traffic was very slow and a dozen policemen were on point duty to keep vehicles moving. This new change in traffic directions is due to the construction of an underground car park in Conde Sallent and a tunnel under Via Alemania-General Riera-Antoni Marques. The future car park will have a capacity for 700 vehicles. The Avenidas are the main thoroughfare in Palma and are used by an average of 40'000 vehicles a day, so any change in direction is bound to be a major headache. The Calle Antoni Marques was reopened to traffic yesterday, although the flow was in the opposite direction to usual. Parking has been banned on this street while work lasts, which leaves four lanes free for traffic. Also with effect from yesterday, vehicles travelling along the Avenidas in the direction of General Riera-Hornabeque will be rerouted via 31 de Diciembre-Antonio Marques leading on to Via Alemania. They may also be rerouted via Blanquera. Juan José Ferrando, the director of the Palma city council's civil defence department, made a first evaluation of the changes. “Things went relatively well, thanks to the presence of the traffic police and the fact that schools do not go back until next Monday.” He said he hoped that traffic would continue to flow smoothly over the next few weeks.