La Gabarra: Practical Guide

Next Thursday's historic celebration brings up a number of questions for the Zurigorri family related to the route, timetables, restrictions, public transport, security, weather, etc.  

Below, we answer the most important questions so that you can enjoy the La Gabarra celebration and plan your day in the best possible way. 

 

What is the route and what time will they pass by?

*All times are CEST

16:30 Real Club Marítimo del Abra. Boarding La Gabarra

16:50 Las Arenas/Portugalete 

17:10 Lamiako/Altos Hornos 

17:30 Erandio/Sestao 

17:45 Lutxana/Punta Zorroza 

18:00 Ribera de Zorrozaurre/Zorroza 

18:15 Deusto/ItsasMuseum 

18:30 Campo Volantín/Uribitarte 

18:35 Bilbao City Hall steps. La Gabarra disembarkation.

18:40 Ayuntamiento de Bilbao

19:40 Open-top bus journey from the Ayuntamiento to the Diputación passing through El Arenal, Plaza Circular and Gran Vía.

20:00 Diputación Foral de Bizkaia.

 

What will happen at the Ayuntamiento de Bilbao?

Welcome to the team on the steps of city hall building.

Tribute and welcome Aurresku.

Short speeches by the mayor, the president, head coach and captain.

Champions' salute on the balcony.

 

What will happen at Diputación?

Welcome reception

Family photo on the steps.

Short speeches by the deputy general, the president, head coach and captain.

Champions' salute on the balcony.

 

What traffic closures are planned for Thursday?

 

• Ayuntamiento – Diputación.

Installation of the fencing from 08:00 on Thursday. 

Traffic restrictions from 14:00 that will affect the area around Arenal, Ernesto Erkoreka and Circular squares, as well as the Ayuntamiento and Arenal bridges, and Gran Vía as far as Moyúa. 

Sendeja, Viuda de Epalza and Arenal streets will be closed to traffic and garages and car parks will be closed until the fencing is removed. Calle Ribera, between Puente de la Merced and Arenal, will also be closed. 
 

• Isla de Zorrotzaurre.  

Restricted access - allowing only residents and emergency services to pass through - from 22:00 hours on Wednesday 10, to prevent vehicles from parking and restricting views of La Gabarra.
 

• Zona de Olabeaga.

Traffic will be closed from approximately 14:00 until 20:00 hours; and only residents and emergency services will be allowed to pass, from Camino de la Ventosa.
 

• Paseo Uribitarte.

The road will be closed to traffic from 14:00 until approximately 20:30. Garages and car parks will have restrictions, so it is recommended not to use private vehicles during this time. In addition, and depending on the number of people, Avenida Abandoibarra and Calle Ramón Rubial may be closed to traffic.
 

• Ribera de Elorrieta, Botica Vieja -between Hermanos Aguirre and Heliodoro de la Torre-, Avenida Universidades and Campo Volantín.

Traffic will be closed between approximately 14:00 and 20:30.

In general, the established arrangements include traffic cuts and diversions that will modify to a greater or lesser extent the mobility of vehicles and pedestrians, mainly in the neighbourhoods near the riverbank and the bus route, and which will take place between 14:00 and 22:00, approximately.

The traffic disruptions will also affect several stretches of the cycle path and some of the taxi ranks, as well as several Bizkaibus and tram lines.

For all these reasons, all those coming to Bilbao during the afternoon or travelling around the city are advised to use public transport, preferably the train or metro, as road traffic will be complicated throughout the day.

Will it be possible to see the La Gabarra from the Pedro Arrupe and Zubi Zuri footbridges?

No. The Pedro Arrupe and Zubi Zuri footbridges will be closed from 14:00 for safety reasons.

 

Will it be possible to see the Gabarra from the Bilbao bridges?

The Arenal and City Hall bridges will be closed to road traffic and the rest of the bridges in the municipal area affected by La Gabarra's route - Deusto, Euskalduna and La Salve - will remain open to both pedestrians and vehicles. Although it is true that traffic cut-off points have been planned on both sides which will have fixed control points by the Bilbao Municipal Police, in case it is necessary to close or modify the perimeter in the event of any unforeseen event or need.

 

Will the Metro run special services?

Yes. Metro Bilbao will reinforce its usual service to facilitate public transport. From 15:30, trains will run every 3 minutes on the main lines, every 6 minutes to Ibarbengoa and Kabiezes, and every 18 minutes to Plentzia. These timetables will remain in place until 22:30, when the frequencies will change to 5, 10 and 20 minutes respectively in the different zones.

Uninterrupted service throughout the night on Thursday, even more extensive than that normally offered on the eve of public holidays and at weekends. Specifically, from 23:00 until 06:00 on Friday morning, trains will run both ways every 10 minutes on the main lines and every 20 minutes to Plentzia and Kabiezes.

 

What is the weather forecast for Thursday?

Good weather is forecast for Thursday evening, with no rain and temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius.

 

General recommendations

• Do not stand in areas marked off due to hazards, unstable structures, etc. 
• Access to the river from land must be kept clear for safety ( steps, ramps, pontoons, piers, jetties, etc.). Some with sufficient space for ambulance access.
• Bathing, canoeing, paddle surfing, small boats, swimmers, jet skis, sailing boats, inflatable boats of less than 6mts, and the like are prohibited in the whole estuary. It is also forbidden to moor or anchor anywhere along the river.
• If you are in a group, before entering the crowd, agree on a meeting point in case one of the members gets lost in the crowd.
• If you come with children, take them with you, holding them by the hand or in your arms. Give them a name card and a telephone number to call in case they get lost. 
• If you lose someone, call the emergency services for help in locating them. 
• Do not carry or use any pyrotechnic or potentially hazardous object that could affect the safety of other people. 
• In any emergency, seek help from law enforcement if you can, and call the emergency number 112.