Rojales opens new pedestrian footbridge over Río Segura, linking Los Frailes with the fairgrounds
- Rojales inaugurated a new pedestrian arch footbridge over the Río Segura on Friday, 19 September 2025.
- The bridge links the Los Frailes sector (near the institute and expanding residential area) with the town’s recinto ferial, where weekly markets and fiestas take place.
- Technical features: metal circular-section arch, reinforced concrete deck, stainless-steel tension rods; can be used by emergency vehicles if strictly necessary.
- Construction began in April 2025; the contract was awarded last summer to UTE covial-Carrión for €491,000.
- The new crossing complements Rojales’ past bridges (Carlos III and Reina Sofía) and three existing pedestrian walkways inside the urban core.
Introduction
Rojales has added another crossing point over the Río Segura with the inauguration of a new pedestrian pasarela (footbridge). Opened to the public on 19 September 2025, the structure improves connectivity between the expanding los Frailes neighbourhood and the recinto ferial – the hub for the town’s weekly Thursday market and traditional festivities such as the Moors and Christians celebrations.
why this footbridge matters
The Río Segura flows through rojales and helps define the town’s layout. Historically, the municipality has relied on several crossings to maintain mobility: the 18th-century stone Carlos III bridge, the Reina Sofía bridge (built to relieve heavy traffic), and three pedestrian-only footbridges in the urban area. The new pasarela, located just outside the dense urban core following the river course, addresses current urban expansion and pedestrian safety needs between two growing sectors.
Key objectives
- Provide a safe, direct pedestrian link between Los Frailes (education and housing expansion zone) and the fairground area.
- Facilitate access to weekly markets and festival sites without adding vehicle traffic to historic bridges.
- Allow restricted use by emergency vehicles only, preserving the bridge primarily for walkers and cyclists.
Design and technical details
According to the project’s technical report, the new bridge is a pedestrian arch footbridge with these characteristics:
| Element | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Pedestrian arch footbridge |
| Materials | Metal circular-section arch, reinforced concrete deck, stainless-steel tension rods |
| Primary use | pedestrians; emergency vehicle access only if required |
| Contractor | UTE Covial-Carrión |
| Contract value | €491,000 |
| construction start | April 2025 |
Timeline and cost
- Summer 2024: Project contract awarded to UTE Covial-Carrión for €491,000.
- April 2025: On-site works began.
- Planned opening: originally scheduled before the town’s patron saint festivities in late June 2025, but delays postponed opening to 19 September 2025.
Local impact - mobility, safety and events
The new bridge is designed to support Rojales’ urban growth and improve pedestrian mobility. Specific local benefits include:
- Easier,safer route for students and residents commuting between Los Frailes and the town center.
- Smoother access to the recinto ferial – enhancing attendance and logistics for weekly markets and seasonal fiestas.
- reduced pedestrian pressure on historic bridges such as the Carlos III stone bridge,helping preserve the town’s heritage while accommodating modern movement needs.
Usage rules
- Designated for pedestrian use only.
- Allowed to be used by emergency vehicles only in strictly necessary situations.
What residents should expect next
- Improved walking routes and a short-term boost in market and event access.
- Signage and safety features to be installed or completed as final finishing works are carried out.
- Monitoring of bridge use and maintenance scheduling by the municipal authorities to ensure long-term safety.
Conclusion
Rojales’ new footbridge over the Río Segura is a targeted infrastructure investment aimed at connecting growing neighbourhoods, improving pedestrian safety, and supporting local events. The €491,000 project complements the town’s historic bridges and offers a modern, resilient crossing designed primarily for pedestrians while retaining limited emergency-vehicle access.
Credits and sources
- Original report: La Verdad – “Abren nueva pasarela en el río Segura en Rojales” (19 Sept 2025). Read the full article: https://www.laverdad.es/orihuela-torrevieja/abren-nueva-pasarela-rio-segura-paso-rojales-20250919185453-nt.html