Álava and Bizkaia have 19 September 2026 begun repairing and reinforcing the foundations of the Cruz del Gorbea . The two Foral administrations are sharing the total cost of 167,742.78 euros. The aim of the work is to secure the stability of the highly visible cross at the summit and ensure its long-term preservation.
The work has been prompted by erosion damage around the structure’s anchorage on Gorbeia. Following technical assessments, the Diputación Foral de Álava and the Diputación Foral de Bizkaiadecided to strengthen the load-bearing concrete foundation and install a protective feature around it to prevent future scour. The work is taking place in a sensitive natural area: the summit lies within the Parque Natural de Gorbeia and in a protected area designated as a Zona Especial de Conservación .
The immediate summit area will be temporarily closed during the construction phase. According to local reports, restrictions are expected to last around a month. The local authorities will provide information on specific closure periods and access routes to ensure the safety of visitors and emergency services, while limiting the scale and duration of the intervention.
The start of construction was preceded by a joint planning process. In March 2026, the two Foral administrations agreed a cooperation pact for the project. Project documents and tenders were published through the administrations’ relevant channels, enabling the construction contract and schedule to be coordinated. The work now under way focuses on securing the base, while avoiding unnecessary impact on the surrounding area.
The administrations are responding proactively to the erosion identified. The work is intended to eliminate immediate risks at the site and preserve a prominent landmark in the border area between the territories of Álava and Bizkaia. Once the work is complete, questions about permanent access to the summit and responsibility for maintaining and monitoring the foundations will need to be revisited. No information is available about wider development plans; the authorities stress that the project is a safety measure and is limited to necessary interventions.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).