Ibiza Town is about to begin construction of the island's first publicly owned outdoor escalators, with work starting on September 15 in the Puig des Molins area.

The project will replace the existing stone staircase on Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez with three mechanical sections designed to make the steep connection between the upper and lower parts of Arxiduc Lluís Salvador considerably more accessible.

Eight Years in the Making

The project dates back to 2018, when Ibiza Town Hall commissioned an execution project through its Citizen Participation programme following a long-standing request from local residents.

The original proposal was later scaled back after the cost of relocating a medium-voltage power line made the initial design considerably more expensive. A revised project was commissioned in 2022.

After years of delays, construction is now scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 15 at 6:30am.

Three Outdoor Escalators

The section being transformed is 42.18 metres long and has a 24.4% gradient.

The existing staircase is made up of eight sections of stone steps. These will be replaced by three outdoor escalators capable of transporting up to 6,000 people per hour.

The escalators will operate at 0.5 metres per second and have a one-metre clear width. The design includes silver-coloured cast aluminium steps, 10-millimetre safety glass balustrades, black rubber handrails and stainless-steel components suitable for outdoor use.

Three accesses to private homes along the route will also be incorporated into the new layout.

A €1 Million Project

The contract was awarded to Vilor Infraestructuras in September 2025 following a tender that attracted two bids.

The construction budget is €827,580.31 before VAT, rising to €1,001,372.18 including 21% VAT.

An additional 1.5% allocation, worth €15,020.58, has been set aside for historical heritage protection.

The planned construction period is approximately 6.5 months, including preparation, installation, testing and legalisation, followed by a one-year warranty period.

Funded Through the Tourism Sustainable Tax

The project is being financed through the Balearic Islands' Tourism Sustainable Tax, commonly known as the ecotasa.

It was included among Ibiza Town's projects approved under the 2024-2025 funding call, with €1,001,372 allocated to the escalator installation.

According to the latest execution figures cited by La Voz de Ibiza, only 3.22% of the allocated amount had been certified by February 25, 2026, before construction finally moves into its physical phase.

Archaeological Protection

The location presents an additional challenge because of its historical surroundings.

Part of the route falls within the archaeological protection area of the Puig des Molins site, while the remainder lies within the Historic Complex of Ibiza, which has been protected as a Site of Cultural Interest since 1969.

The works therefore require a favourable report from the Insular Heritage Commission and archaeological monitoring throughout construction.

Traffic Restrictions From September 15

The start of the works will also affect traffic in the area.

Calle de Arxiduc Lluís Salvador will be closed to vehicles at the junction with Via Romana from 6:30am on September 15.

Ibiza Town Hall will introduce temporary diversions, modify some traffic directions and restrict parking nearby. An alterna