Infrastructure

Rambla de La Tonta Viaduct

This rehabilitated infrastructure stands as a footbridge that allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross the serene Rambla de La Tonta, also known as the Rambla de Olula del Río. This watercourse rises in the Llanos del Cortijo Blanco, some 900 m above sea level in the imposing Sierra de Las Estancias, where it intertwines with other minor watercourses such as Cortijo Blanco and La Cerda, whose source is near the municipal district of Oria, on the edge of the watershed. Like many other wadis in the region, it remains dry for most of the year and receives its seasonal flow from rainfall and melts from the higher areas, becoming torrential in autumn and spring, especially between the months of August and November. Finally, it flows gracefully into the river Almanzora, near Olula de Río.

The viaduct structure consists of two masonry walls, joined at the ends of the riverbed, and connected by a solid structure of iron beams. This robust layout, designed to withstand significant loads, gives rise to geometric shapes typical of late 19th and early 20th century railway constructions in Europe.

The viaduct was part of the former Almanzora Valley railway, a railway network forged by the British company The Great Southern of Spain Railway Company Limited (GSSR). Its role was pivotal in the creation of this railway infrastructure which connected the provinces of Granada, Almería and Murcia for a century, from 1885 to 1985. Unfortunately, from that year onwards, rail traffic was interrupted on the section between Guadix and Almendricos, in Lorca (Murcia), due to economic reasons.

Otros puntos de interés

• Rambla del Palomar Viaduct
• Rambla de la Jata Viaduct
• Rambla Honda de Ciscario Viaduct
• Rambla de la Hojilla Viaduct
• Cantoria Valley Viewpoint
• Cantoria Tunnel
• Rambla del Lentisco Viaduct
• Viaduct over road A-349
• Former Arboleas train stop
• Old Cantoria station
• Rambla de los Llanos Viaduct
• Rambla de la Honda Viaduct
• Rambla de la Hortichuela Viaduct
• Túnel de Albox
• Rambla de Albox Viaduct
• Old Almanzora station
• Old Olula-Fines Station