On October 20, 2018, torrential rains occurred in the province of Málaga, equivalent to a 500-year return period event, which had devastating consequences on the railway line connecting Bobadilla and Algeciras. The service was interrupted as an embankment section was completely washed away, leaving the track suspended in the air.
In an effort to enhance the resilience of the infrastructure against future events and after identifying the inadequate hydraulic capacity, the decision was made to replace the existing transversal drainage with a composite viaduct consisting of an 85-meter-long double-deck beam to cross the Arroyo de las Tinajas. Additionally, rockfill walls were designed for protection against erosion, to channel the watercourse, and to safeguard the slopes against intense precipitation events.
As being an emergency project, the design was developed concurrently with the construction, completing the intervention in only 8 months.
Calle Núñez de Balboa, 120
28006 Madrid
Spain