The Way of Sant James

• This contract will provide for the drafting of the construction specifications for four actions, two on the French Route, one on the Portuguese and the last on the English
• The contract will be awarded in September, with the first plans to be drafted by the end of the year
• Development, environmental, cultural and mobility aspects are to be taken into account in drafting the plans, providing a cross-cutting approach

Santiago, 21 April 2017

Today, the Official Journal of Galicia (DOG) published the Xunta's decision announcing the call for tenders for the drafting of plans for improvement and landscape integration works on the city approaches of the routes of the Way of St. James. The target is for all actions to be completed in time for the 2021 Xacobeo (Holy Year). More information is available at the following link: https://goo.gl/gtpdvI.

The documents have a 36-month implementation period, which can be extended by an additional 18 months. The submission deadline for tenders is 2 June. This contract will have a budget of a little over one million euros and include control and security tasks during implementation of the works. It provides for direct liaising with all organizations and government bodies involved. Construction specifications are to be drafted for four actions: two on the French Route, one on the Portuguese and the last on the English. They are to include additional works adapting the public space around the Way of St. James.

The Galician government plans to award the contact in September, so that the first plans will be drafted by the end of year and contracting for the work can begin immediately. The estimated budget for these landscape integration works is 4.2 million euros.

Development, environmental, cultural and mobility aspects are to be taken into account in drafting the construction specifications, providing a cross-cutting approach to the works implemented, whether they be in rural areas, neighbourhoods or the historic area.

The improvements are to be undertaken in a coordinated manner. They must also be complementary in terms of form and functionality, as well as consistent with the other routes of the Way of St. James. A uniform approach to the pilgrimage routes is sought as regards aspects such as the paving materials and the width and characteristics of the paths.
 
The autonomous community government has opted for a single image which is capable of building identity, so that the routes of the Way of St. James are easily recognizable on the approaches to Compostela, meeting the demands and needs of 21st-century pilgrims.

The goal of this project is to create an internationally-known hallmark of identity for the Way of St. James. This will give rise to guidelines which will undoubtedly serve as points of reference for future actions on the different pilgrimage routes.

The landscape integration of the routes on the approaches to Compostela will help consolidate the image of Santiago as an international tourist attraction, stimulating tourism and economic development throughout the autonomous community.

It will also ensure that pilgrims' expectations are fulfilled when they reach Compostela. In accordance with the Way of St. James Master and Strategic Plan, the Galician government is promoting active collaboration among the different government bodies with authority in these areas.

The aim is to enhance the pilgrimage routes as they enter Compostela, highlighting the route of the Camino through the urban grid. To this end, last February the Xunta and the Santiago Town Council signed a co-operation agreement regarding coordinated action on the pilgrimage routes in Compostela in order to achieve excellence in the pilgrim experience.

In terms of the Galician government, this collaboration will include the Galician Department of Culture, as the body responsible for protecting and promoting the cultural heritage of Galicia and the pilgrimage routes of the Way of St. James; the Turismo de Galicia agency, which oversees and coordinates actions related to enhancing the tourism and cultural aspects of the Way of St. James; and the Galician Infrastructure Agency, responsible for drafting the plans and implementing the actions to be carried out.