The refurbishment work on the Puerto Blanco marina in Calpe is progressing at a good pace. The company awarded the concession for the construction and operation of this mooring area, Marina PortBlanc, has completed the beach regeneration works, thanks to which this small stretch of coastline has gained seven metres in length, some 700 square metres in extension.
The mayoress of Calpe, Ana Sala, accompanied by the councillor for the Environment and Beaches, Pere Moll, visited the works and was able to see the work carried out and the change of image that can now be seen in this marina.
The regeneration of the beach has been carried out with the repositioning of the sand deposited naturally by the waves in the entrance channel to the port. A total of 2,500 cubic metres of sand have been used after analysing its characteristics and verifying that it was optimal for reuse and after obtaining the relevant authorisations from Costas and Calpe Town Council.
This work was carried out by pumping out the sand from the seabed, which was then deposited next to the beach in a dry area and then spread out on the beach.
This has been one of the main actions carried out by the company, which began work last September. During this time, all the planned maritime works have been carried out, including the dredging of the inner dock, highly complex works, which were carried out in the dry and which required a dam to be built at the mouth to prevent seawater from entering, while 24-hour bilge pumps were used.
Another of the most important maritime actions was the reinforcement of the breakwater, with the placement of some 20,000 tonnes of large stones (between 5 and 6 tonnes each), as it was a very unprotected area and in storms - as happened in the Gloria - the waves overtopped the breakwater. In the same line of reinforcing the safety and protection of the infrastructure of Puerto Blanco, it is planned to install a floodgate at the mouth of the port which will reduce the high internal agitation of the waters of the dock. This metal gate will allow the water to pass through but will break the wave energy and reduce the internal agitation which is so damaging to the installations and the moored boats. In this way, their safety will be guaranteed, and the gate will be closed in the event of strong storms.
On the other hand, the company has already installed the floating pontoons as well as the fingers (where the boats are moored) and has built the concrete perimeter docks, in addition to stabilising the slopes of this enclave.
‘We are very happy to see how these works are evolving and the spectacular change in the image of this small port of Calpe, located in a very charming place that did not deserve the abandonment in which it has been for many years’, said the mayoress Ana Sala, who highlighted the regeneration works of the beach, which has gained in extension ‘for the enjoyment of all the citizens and visitors’.
This project finally involves an investment of 9 million euros - compared to the 5 million initially planned - due to the delay in the start of the works due to a boundary problem between the administrations as well as the complexity of the dredging and maintenance of the dam and the reinforcement of the breakwater. There will be 150 moorings for boats and jet skis, and an elevated pedestrian walkway will be provided from the entrance to the port to the breakwater, allowing visitors to stroll around the area with spectacular views of the port and the Calpe coastline. It is planned to build two restaurants and a beach bar/kiosk on the beach and two other catering establishments on the walkway, as well as nautical activities premises and the harbour master's offices which will be located on the ground floor.