The installation of awnings for the San Telmo Bridge has commenced, with the placement of a semicircular structure that will anchor the fabric shades. Work, which started on the bridge's western end near Plaza de Cuba, aims to make the promised shade a reality in the coming weeks.
The construction, initiated in January 2026, revealed greater complexity than anticipated, primarily due to the lack of adequate support structures on the bridge, unlike in the city center streets. The contracted company had to design and build a specific infrastructure anchored to the underside of the bridge.
The process has impacted local mobility, necessitating the temporary closure of a sidewalk and the bike lane, which drew complaints from associations like A Contramano.
Despite being an announced priority, the work has faced delays. Municipal spokesperson Juan Bueno admitted that progress was "slower than we would like" because the project's scope exceeded initial forecasts, requiring the creation of a non-existent support structure.
Concurrently, Avenida de la Constitución also faces challenges with its shading. The City Council has rescinded the previous contract and is working on a new system for summer 2027, having discarded the earlier model due to its visual impact and ineffectiveness. Two projects have been submitted to the Provincial Heritage Commission, one of which proposes anchoring the awnings to building facades to reduce visual impact.
The awning crisis in Seville highlights the difficulties of intervening in a rigid architectural heritage under extreme climatic conditions.
