Vigo’s giant elevator that flies over the highway is almost ready

The city of Vigo in Galicia is about to get a 50-meter-high ‘halo’-shaped elevator that goes over the motorway and connects two previously separate areas of the city. A work of architecture that promises to become a “symbol of the city” and has a Portuguese “hand”.

And according to the Galician newspaper, the business of 12.5 million, about half of which is funded by European funds, is progressing at a good pace. Voice of Galicia. The AP-9 motorway, one of the busiest in the region, has been cut off in the Vigo region to pursue the contract, which began in August 2022.

The lift will connect the García Barbón and Vía Norte districts, thus connecting the lower and upper areas of the city, more specifically the largest building and newest shopping center in Vigo. Vialia, designed by Pritzker Thom Mayneque, is also a high-speed train station and bus station.

Photo: Vigo Vindeiro/Twitter

Photo: Vigo Vindeiro/Twitter

Photo: Vigo Vindeiro/Twitter

Photo: Dr

Photo: Dr

Photo: Dr

Photo: Dr

Photo: Dr

Photo: Twitter

The building will have two elevators, each with a capacity of 14 people. They will be self-sufficient, being powered by power produced by four wind turbines installed near the highway.

The ‘halo’, based on a concrete beam, about 50 meters high, will be lit up at night and promise a view of the Vigo Estuary. The structure weighs 750 tons and will be entirely glass.

For Abel Caballero, the mayor of Vigo, this new elevator will be a “symbol of the city”, calling it a “work of art”.

It is a work carried out by Arenas & Asociados, in collaboration with local office AM2 Arquitectos and Portuguese studio NOARQ, based in Porto.

This contract requires a crane capable of lifting 500 tons, with a counterweight of 250 tons, and capable of lifting components to over 40 meters in height.