Transport

Estellencs tunnel now being demolished

Work on rebuilding the tunnel will wait until after the tourism season. | Michels

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterAndratx28/02/2017 00:00

Work has begun on demolishing part of the tunnel on the Andratx-Estellencs road that was badly damaged by a rockfall in January. It is expected to take two weeks, and once it is completed it should be possible to reopen the road. A mesh containment barrier has been installed to prevent any more rocks falling onto the tunnel and road.

The damage was caused by a single rock that weighed between 20 and 30 tonnes, according to the Council of Majorca's roads department. The work on the tunnel has been complicated because of the nature of the mountain. A helicopter was needed in order to put the mesh barrier in place.

The demolition is all that will be done for the time being. At the end of the tourism season, there will be work on restoring the tunnel and on ensuring that there is future safety. The mayor of Estellencs, Bartomeu Jover, has been asking for patience among residents because of the exceptional circumstances that have caused the road to be closed. Getting in and out of Estellencs at present requires a detour to be made via Banyalbufar.