The company Smart Working Canarias is carrying out the installation of special asphalt fabric rolls on the Guiniguada viaduct, a process that involves welding the rolls one by one with a torch at temperatures close to 1,000 degrees.
The works, taking place in the lower area of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, aim to improve the bridge's waterproofing, an action that had not been carried out since its construction. The first phase, which involved milling the existing asphalt layer, has already been completed by the contractor Lopesan.
Despite the heat, the waterproofing is being done with high-quality materials, similar to those used on AVE high-speed rail bridges. Over 18,000 square meters will be covered in an estimated time of 8 to 9 days per lane, a significantly shorter period than the usual three months.
To speed up the process, work shifts have been doubled, employing up to 20 specialized workers. 2,500 rolls of asphalt fabric, weighing a total of 120 tons, will be deployed, and 300 propane cylinders will be used.
In addition to waterproofing, expansion joints on the bridges will be replaced. Once the first lane is finished, it will be repaved and opened to traffic before the same operation is repeated on the southbound lane. The Regional Ministry of Public Works has allocated approximately 2.2 million euros to these works.
Due to the complexity of the waterproofing tasks, they must be carried out during daylight hours, necessitating a complete traffic closure for 24 hours on the lane where the works are being developed. The forecast is for the southbound lane closure to begin on August 16th and continue until the end of the month.
