KREAN, after being awarded the tender promoted by the Department of Natural Heritage and Adaptation to Climate Change of the Basque Government, has been in charge of the construction of the new pedestrian walkway and the promenade and cycle path at the mouth of the Bidasoa river, by the four international bridges, in Irun, Gipuzkoa.

The project is part of the Basque Government's ‘Master plan for the restoration and improvement of the connectivity of the natural areas around Txingudi Bay’ and has had a budget of 3.4 million euros.

The route, called the Pierre Loti Walk, starts from Plaiaundi and connects Hondarribia, Irun and Hendaia. It is 1.2 kilometres long and has a walkway of almost 350 metres along its length. This wooden walkway is 3.5 metres wide and is supported by metal piles driven into the riverbed. The work has been conditioned by the tidal races and the gauge limitations under the bridges. The transition from land to the wooden walkway has been made at both ends by means of wooden bridges with a span of 12 and 10 metres at each end. The last 60 metres have been achieved by adapting the existing shore, obtaining a 3.5-metre-wide asphalted walkway.  Pedestrian and cyclist traffic is segregated along almost the entire route except on the wooden walkway where the platform is shared. An abandoned site has also been reclaimed to provide a 30-space car park.

The area around Txingudi Bay, where this route is located, has been declared a SAC (Special Area of Conservation) and a SPA (Special Protection Area) within the European Natura 2000 Network. It is also a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. This new route project has therefore been developed in an area of high ecological value and has shown the utmost respect for the natural heritage.

KREAN has collaborated with the Administration in different regeneration projects in the Txingudi Bay area.