Ibiza Town has completed the physical installation of its first public outdoor escalators, marking a major step forward in a long-awaited accessibility project in the Puig des Molins neighbourhood.

The three escalator sections have been installed on Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez, where they will replace the steep pedestrian staircase connecting the street with Calle Arxiduc Lluís Salvador.

However, the new escalators are not yet open to the public. Further electrical and finishing work is still required before they can enter service.

Installation Completed on September 15

According to Ibiza Town Hall, the installation was completed on Tuesday, September 15.

The following day, work was already continuing on preparations for the electrical installation, while the handrails are expected to be fitted in the coming days.

The municipality has not yet announced a definitive opening date, with commissioning and the remaining technical work still to be completed.

Three Escalator Sections

The project involves three separate mechanical escalator sections built into the steep western slope of Puig des Molins.

The intervention connects the lower section of Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez with Calle Arxiduc Lluís Salvador, improving access through an area where pedestrians have traditionally had to climb a demanding series of stairs.

The project is intended to make the route more accessible for residents and visitors, particularly people who find the existing gradient difficult to manage.

More Than 2,200 Residents in the Neighbourhood

Ibiza Town Hall says 2,277 people are officially registered as residents of Puig des Molins, comprising 1,142 men and 1,135 women.

Deputy mayor and Councillor for Public Works Blanca Hernández said the new infrastructure is expected to benefit not only residents of the neighbourhood but also other people living in Ibiza and visitors who use the area.

A Complex Construction Project

The works have involved considerably more than installing the escalators themselves.

The project required demolition and the diversion of existing infrastructure before the excavations for the escalator shafts could be carried out.

Several public-service networks have been affected, including sewage, rainwater drainage, drinking water, public lighting, low-voltage electricity and natural gas. Excavation techniques were also designed to minimise vibrations and limit the impact on nearby buildings.

Each escalator section has its own structure, consisting of reinforced-concrete walls and steel frames, with independent electrical connections and dedicated protection systems.

Traditional Staircase Also Included

The project does not eliminate conventional pedestrian access entirely.

A new traditional staircase will also be constructed with stone finishes designed to respect the character of the surrounding area. The existing lighting will be restored as part of the wider works.

The design also takes into account the historic character of Puig des Molins and the need to integrate the new infrastructure into the neighbourhood.

Traffic Has Returned to Arxiduc Lluís Salvador

The construction works caused temporary traffic restrictions in the surrounding streets.

With the main installation now complete, vehicle circulation on Calle Arxiduc Lluís Salvador at the junction with Via Romana was restored on Wednesday, September 16.

The reopening comes as the project moves into its final technical phase.

Nearly €1 Million Contract

The works were awarded to Vilor Infraestructuras S.L. for €785,785 before VAT, equivalent to €950,799.85 including VAT.

The wider project has been financed through the Balearic Government's Sustainable Tourism Tax programme, with total project funding listed at approximately €1.001 million.

A Project Years in the Making

The escalators have been a long-standing demand from residents of Puig des Molins.

The project was developed to address the steep connection between Juan Ramón Jiménez and Arxiduc Lluís Salvador and was later incorporated into the island's Sustainable Tourism Tax investment programme.

The initial project dates back several years, with the municipality subsequently moving through design, tendering and construction stages before work began on the ground.

Not Yet Ready for Public Use

Although the three escalators are now visibly in place, the project has not technically reached its final stage.

Electrical preparation, installation of the handrails and other finishing and commissioning procedures must still be completed before the system can operate.

The installation should therefore be viewed as a major construction milestone rather than the official opening of the escalators.

Ibiza's First Public Escalators

Once fully commissioned, the project will introduce Ibiza Town's first public outdoor escalators and create a new mechanical connection through Puig des Molins.

For the neighbourhood, the completion of the physical installation represents the latest stage of a project that residents have been requesting for years.

The next milestone will be the completion of the remaining technical work and the eventual opening of the escalators to the public.