Last year, the new phase of the Supersouth was inaugurated. Once the last natural valley of Bilbao has been polluted by cement, the drivers willing to pay the toll, and those who mistakenly access the Supersur, can earn a couple of minutes to the watch.
Construction companies have gained considerably more, EUR 220 million. The Biscayan and Vizcainas that we have had to pay for this infrastructure through taxes have lost the same thing, and those of us who suffer the consequences of the climate emergency have had to give up another lot of expectations.
But this infrastructure has not satisfied the famine in the cement of the rich Biscay, and the Council has announced from the mouth of Pradales its intention to launch after the summer the Subfluvial or the construction of the Submarine Tunnel. The new motorway would connect Leioa and Sestao via a tunnel of about 3.5 kilometres.
For the time being, the Provincial Council has announced that it will allocate 450 million, but if the Supersur model is followed, this figure will increase considerably, especially given that the drilling environment is plagued by contaminated sand, water and soils (see the San Sebastian metro).
As the Provincial Council of Bizkaia itself acknowledges, the new highway would increase traffic in the area by 33% and increase pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Just as the main victim of the super-south was the Bolintxu Valley, this time it will be the Arcup-Romo Institute that will suffer the most damage. In fact, the tunnel would go sideways (and below the patio). Students and workers should bear a work that lasts at least four years, with consequences that are not modest: noise of about 90 decibels, pollution, risk of trucks... What parents would like their children to suffer six hours a day? What workers would like that to be their daily work? In short, the project would jeopardise the future of the institute itself.
But the institute will not be the only victim. As the Provincial Council of Bizkaia itself acknowledges, the new highway would increase traffic in the area by 33%, increase pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, affecting all Biscayan people. Citizens who could contribute to using these 450 million for other purposes will also be harmed: those on Osakidetza’s waiting lists, public transport users, those who have to be cared for…
The winners of this infrastructure are easily deductible: the builders. What other crushing projects will you have stored in the drawer? Who will be affected? If we do not want to know, it is better to do everything possible to stop the Subfluvial.