Paiporta has started tearing down Pont Vell after the 2024 DANA left it structurally unsafe. The town will replace it with a modern bridge offering 45 percent more hydraulic capacity. Local authorities promise improved safety and resilience.
Paiporta has started demolishing Pont Vell, the town's century-old bridge, after the October 2024 DANA exposed serious structural problems. Instead of repairing the damage, officials decided on a full replacement, saying a new bridge is needed for safety and to handle more water during floods. The Ministry of Transport is overseeing the work, which should take about a month.
The floods hit Paiporta especially hard. Technical reports showed Pont Vell had reached the end of its useful life, and restoring it would not meet current safety standards, especially after the recent storm. Local authorities concluded that only a new bridge could meet modern requirements.
"The total budget for the new bridge and pedestrian walkway is around 9 million euros, with funding secured from the EU's Plan EDIL-DANA."
Local press reports
The new bridge will increase hydraulic capacity by 45 percent, mainly by reducing the number of supports and improving how it lines up with the river. Its conical piers are designed to let water pass more easily, and the structure will be better prepared for future floods. The width will grow to 8.5 meters, one meter wider than before, to improve both traffic and pedestrian safety. These changes follow engineering recommendations and lessons from recent storms.
Mayor Vicent Ciscar called it a day of mixed feelings for Paiporta. He acknowledged the bridge's importance in daily life and local memory, but said the DANA made it clear that restoring the old structure was not an option. The new project is based on technical and safety needs, but will also include elements that recall Pont Vell's heritage. The goal is to combine modern infrastructure with respect for the town's history.
Before demolition began, the town made sure residents could still cross the barranco using other routes, such as Pont Nou, the Puente de la Estación, and the pedestrian walkway on carrer Convent. This was done to limit disruption during construction. Over the summer, the municipality held public meetings to explain the reasons for demolition and the features of the new bridge, aiming to address concerns and underline the focus on public safety.
"The demolition of Pont Vell is part of a broader post-DANA recovery campaign in Paiporta, where authorities have prioritized restoring mobility before replacing the most vulnerable structures. In neighboring Riba-roja de Túria, a different approach is being taken: the historic bridge there is being rehabilitated for 1.5 million euros, preserving its 'historic scars'—highlighting the diversity of strategies across the region."
Regional press
The Pont Vell project is part of a wider debate in the region about how to handle aging infrastructure after disasters. In Chiva, for example, a newly rebuilt bridge flooded soon after it opened, raising questions about the durability of emergency repairs. For towns like Paiporta, the challenge is to balance preserving history with keeping people safe.
With more frequent extreme weather, Paiporta's decision shows a shift toward adapting to new risks. The town is letting go of a familiar landmark to build something safer and more resilient. This approach is different from patching up old structures, and may serve as an example for other towns facing similar choices. In the end, protecting lives and infrastructure takes priority over nostalgia when storms become less predictable.
