There's seriously big money being spent on Ibiza at the moment – and we're not talking drinks prices in clubs! Three big capital projects are going or about to go which will truly leave the coffers in need of a top up.
First off there's the pipeline under the sea to bring gas from the mainland to Ibiza. Costing only €490 million, the 300 kilometres of pipe should be ready by July 2009 and will replace the system of bright orange gas canisters that we all have to use now.
Down at the airport there are plans to modernise the place again at a cost of around €43 million. Buildings will be improved, a new air conditioning system installed, and changes made to the baggage reclaim hall. Anyone who's ever shivered an August afternoon away in the airport whilst staff swan about toasty warm in their fleeces may be wondering why new air conditioning is required?
More money has been wasted on the outer ring road of Ibiza town. A stretch of 4.2 Km has been turned into dual carriageway at the bargain price of €5,571 per metre. That's about €25 million in total spent widening it and it's now open to the public.
I had a sneak preview of it the other week when i got lost and am pleased to say that nobody batted an eyelid at me driving the wrong way down the carriageway! Here's to the day when we can drive at breakneck speed from San Antonio all the way to the Airport without ever touching the brake pedal – April 15th 1976 – the day the first car was brought to the island!