Transports presents four Puertos del Estado projects for funding under the 2% Cultural Programme

The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has submitted four Puertos del Estado projects for funding under the 2% Cultural Programme, an initiative aimed at ensuring the conservation or enrichment of Spanish Cultural Heritage and promoting artistic creativity.

On 12 December 2024, a new Collaboration Agreement was signed between the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda for joint action in Spanish Historical Heritage, through the 2% Cultural Fund, for a period of four years.

The 2% Cultural programme is the General State Administration's main tool for guaranteeing the conservation of Spain's historical, cultural and artistic heritage, prioritising the generation of activity, creating employment and regenerating urban or rural environments.

The development of the 2% Cultural Programme proposes a model of action with a broad social content, based on the following criteria:

• The main economic support comes from the execution of public works.
• Spanish cultural heritage is recovered, respecting the legacy received and fostering a sense of belonging and pride in one's own heritage.
• Public use is encouraged, favouring a social approach to heritage.
• Employment and wealth are generated in the areas where the recovered heritage elements are located.
• It contributes to the overall objective of generating quality tourism.

Port heritage

The four projects presented involve the improvement, renovation and/or conservation of four locations in port environments in our country and reflect the commitment of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to protect and safeguard the heritage, in this case, linked to Puertos del Estado. The works have a total budget of 2,987,097 euros.

One of the projects presented is the renovation of the façades and entrances of the sheds of the Tarragona Costa Dock, where the aim is to adapt the façades without modifying their functional programme.

Among the planned actions are the replacement of the stone pieces of the cornice of the gable ends and their subsequent repositioning with new stainless steel joints, as well as the disconnection of the structure by eliminating the rigid joints and creating more flexible knots where the roof beams meet the façade. It will also involve the dismantling of the stone corner pieces, the removal of rust, the installation of elastic bands and the repositioning and/or reconstruction of the previously removed pieces.

The stonework will also be repaired and the steel elements of the eaves of the gable ends will be replaced. Degraded areas on façades are also the object of the intervention, both in terms of cladding and stonework. In addition, work will be carried out on the steel elements of the structure exposed to the exterior and the problems of leaks in gutters and downpipes will be resolved.

Refurbishment of the beacon of Northeast Dock III in Melilla

The plan is to repair the building to make it structurally safe, incorporate new spaces and waterproof the roof so that it is in good condition to provide safe access for the maintenance of the Beacon (maritime signals), as well as in the rest of the building which will serve as premises for various uses. The most important actions for the beacon's refurbishment are the renovation of the façades with the replacement of the detached stone ashlars, the reconstruction of the waterproofing and drainage system of the roofs and inner courtyard, as well as the renovation of the locks and carpentry of the façade and the repairs of the beams and/or reinforced concrete slabs.

In addition, the new connections and services will be adapted to the building, the existing premises will be adapted to ensure compliance with the new regulations in force and the existing spaces on the first floor will be refurbished.

"Cable Inglés" in Almería

This is a project for the El Alquife mineral loading dock, known as the "Cable inglés". The proposed actions include the repair treatment of the pile heads, the reinforcement of the bracing beams and of the connection brackets, and the renovation of the pier structure's conservation and protection system. It should be noted that this would be the 3rd phase of this renovation project, following the completion of the previous one and its opening to the public as a promenade in April 2023.

Recovery of the Punta Carnero Fort in Algeciras

The Port Authority's Plan for the Conservation and Enhancement of Historical Heritage includes the recovery and enhancement of the Punta Carnero fort. To do this, it is first necessary to locate the preserved remains, excavate them down to the level of the flooring and consolidate the emerging structures, so that these works allow a detailed topographical survey to be carried out, the real state of conservation of the old fort to be ascertained and a plan of action to be designed for its subsequent enhancement and to enable members of the public to visit the site.

The actions proposed for this first phase of the fort's recovery include, among others, the clearing and removal of the two modern deposits in the area of intervention, the demarcation of the site and ascertaining the exact location of the remains of the walls by means of archaeological digs, and the manual excavation, with occasional support from mechanical means, and the extensive lowering with archaeological control of the interior of the site down to the level of the flooring. Once the site has been excavated and the preserved walls and floors are visible, the first cleaning, brushing and rendering with hydraulic lime mortar will be carried out in the sections that require urgent consolidation for their conservation.

Non official translation