On 9 November 2018, FHECOR Ingenieros Consultores issued a report on the structural viability and possible rehabilitation of the Sierra Menera minerals loading pier (pantalán), located in the Port of Sagunto.

The structure of the pier consists of a series of successive spans that transfer their loads to the ground through piles.

The basic starting premises for this intervention are as follows:

Recovery of Sagunto"s Industrial Heritage and of the symbol that the pier represents
Sagunto"s industrial past is part of the city"s identity, and the economic activity surrounding industry drove the city"s growth throughout the 20th century. The people of Sagunto feel deeply attached to the pier as a symbol of everything mentioned above.

Port-city integration
As one of the main objectives of the interventions planned within the scope of this project — and which was initially set out in the agreements between the Port Authority of Valencia (APV) and the Sagunto City Council — it is of vital importance to return the pier to the city and to create a port-city connection that genuinely integrates the two, in an effective and coherent manner.

Guarantee of durability throughout the service life
Given the advanced deterioration of the existing structure, which has caused the local failure of some piles and even led to the collapse of one of its spans, it is of vital importance to protect the structure against the aggressive environment typical of the marine setting, characterized by the action of chloride ions on steel and reinforced concrete. For this reason, it is essential to protect the structure from the damage they cause, through adequate concrete cover and the application of protective coatings.

Reduction of the structure"s vulnerability to storms

PROPOSED SOLUTION
The adopted solution is aimed at turning the intervention area into the city"s new meeting point. Through the various activity zones, the aim is for users to enjoy their surroundings, with a sea-oriented proposal connecting the seafront promenade with the new pier.