The Vall d’en Bas municipality is pushing back against the Generalitat’s recent response to concerns about a major road project intended to alleviate traffic in the region. The proposed Olot and Les Preses variant aims to enhance connectivity along the Vic-Olot axis while significantly reducing truck traffic through urban areas. However, local officials argue that the government’s reply fails to adequately address critical environmental and agricultural issues.
Concerns over ecological impact and agricultural land
For over three decades, residents have advocated for this infrastructure, which promises to ease congestion in one of Catalonia’s most fertile regions. Yet, opposition has emerged from environmental groups and agricultural stakeholders who fear that the new road will fragment land and threaten vital aquifers. They emphasize that such developments could irreparably harm both the ecosystem and local farming.
The Vall d’en Bas Town Council submitted 42 formal objections to the project, unanimously supported by all council members, including those in opposition, back in September 2025. While some of these concerns have been integrated into the planning process, council members believe that many significant issues remain unaddressed.
Mayor Magda Roca has voiced her apprehensions regarding the inadequacy of responses related to environmental protection, agricultural land preservation, aquifer safeguarding, and noise pollution affecting residential areas. She insists on thorough documentation of all relevant aspects before any construction begins.
“We are committed to ensuring rigorous oversight throughout every phase of this project,” Roca stated.
If timelines set by the Generalitat are met—announced during a presentation earlier this year—the bidding for construction could commence within months, with work potentially starting in early 2027. The projected duration for completing this extensive infrastructure is approximately 55 months.
The ambitious plan includes constructing an underground tunnel measuring around 900 meters, situated beneath cultivated lands in Vall d’en Bas. Overall, the road will stretch across eleven kilometers with about 40% designed as underground sections featuring tunnels or false tunnels like Verntallat’s.
This engineering feat also encompasses a 2.7-kilometer tunnel traversing La Pinya hill and two viaducts spanning over Fluvià River and Ridaura stream. Such extensive development raises questions about balancing infrastructural needs with ecological sustainability—a challenge that local authorities are keenly aware of as they navigate community concerns.
The ongoing dialogue between municipal leaders and regional authorities highlights a broader need for collaboration when it comes to large-scale projects impacting local communities. As discussions continue regarding how best to implement necessary infrastructure while protecting vital resources, residents remain vigilant about their environment’s future.
“It’s crucial that we find solutions that respect both our community’s needs and our natural heritage,” Roca emphasized.
This situation serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in urban planning where economic development must be weighed against environmental stewardship—a balance that will define not only Vall d’en Bas but also similar regions facing analogous challenges across Catalonia.
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