The Spanish government and local governments have wasted billions of euros on useless structures over the passed years, so much so that they appear to be more like excuses for cashing in on big commissions. I ahve selected just a few of the projects that have wasted millions and millions of euros. Nearly all went over budget and the majority aren't even finished. Practically all of them loose money costing the tax payer even more just to maintain them. This is just the tip of the iceberg, like these there are dozens and dozens of multi-million euro projects that have gone to waste around the country: bridges that aren't used, new motorways that have no cars on them or aren't finished, even more redundant airports that recieved extensions, overhauls and even new terminals, when in some cases 200 flights were being cancelled every year due to bad weather or the airport received no more than 60,000 passengers, tram lines with no trams, a multiude of hospitals which aren't finished and teh list goes on, it is frightening how much money has been wasted and doesn't generate income. Everyone has heard of at least one or two white elephants, but the truth is, Spain is plagued with them, 10's of billions of euros down the drain and more than likely 10% in a pocket or a brown envelope.
Here goes :
Line 9 - Barcelona Underground - €16,000 million
This line was started ten years ago attempting to be the longest automatic metro line in the world. The line is intended to be 47km long but only 11 stops have been opened so far due to construction problems. This is the most expensive building project in Catalan history.
City of Culture - Santiago de Compostela - €400 Million
€400 million euros were spent on this project that was never finished. Only two of the 6 planned building were ever built and even they were not completely finished.As it stands it has a maintenance cost of €1,6million a year. The famous American architect who built it said " I hadn't realised how big it would actually turn out to be"!!!
The "Mushrooms" - Seville - €123 Million
This huge sum of money went creating shade for a plaza by building the worlds largest wooden structure. It was 4 years over due and went 70% over budget.
Ciudad Real Airport - €1,100 Million
This airport was built 200km south of Madrid. Designed to take 2.5 million passengers a year in its first year it only took 35,000. It is now closed and up for sale for just €100 million less than a tenth of the cost.
Centre of Arts - Alcorcón - €120 Million
This arts centre to date has cost €120 million, it is only 70% finished and 40% over budget already. Building has been stopped and it has been nicknamed "Alcorcon's Circus" as there was going to be a circus included in honour of the Mayor's father who was a clown.
City of Arts and Sciences - Valencia - €1,100 million
With an original budget of €300 million the world famous architect Calatrava managed to almost cuadruple it. The entire complex looses €5,4 million every month.
Ciudad de la Luz - Alicante - €265 million
These international film studios never got of the ground and brings in virtually no income, it costs the government €1,8 million euros every month to keep it open.
Castellon Airport - €150 million
This airport was inaugurated without a license and no contracts for flights but it did have a statue of Carlos Fabra, the President of Castellón which cost €300,000. During the inaugural ceremony he was caught on camara saying to his grandchildren "do you like Grandad's airport?". Not one plane has ever landed. However the airport director earns €84,000 euros a year, more than the president of Spain!
Forum Barcelona 2004 - €2,190 million
This exhibition cost an astronomical amount of money and it is now abandoned and virtually unused.
Huesca Airport - €40 million
You might say thats a bit more reasonable but it only handles 9 passenger a month now and in its best year recieved 5900 passengers.
The Magic Box - Madrid - €300 million
This admittedly very smart multi-use sports centre certainly is magic and made €300 million euros disappear. This centre is used each year for the Madrid Tennis Open and the odd concert. It went €150 million over budget.
Velodrome - Palma de Mallorca - €100 million
A cycling track that has still not been approved by the International Cycling Union and is under investigation for corruption.
Expo Zaragoza - €700 million euros
This exhibition is now abandoned and all buildings have been sitting empty since 2008. There is a similar story with Expo Seville.
AVE train station - Yebes - Guadalajara - €10,5 million
It may not sound like much but Yebes has a population of 300 inhabitants and is just 11km from the capital. This is just one example but these useless stations are peppered all over the country. The Government has spent €45 Billion on high speed train infrastructure around the country, each kilometer cost between 12 and 30 million euros and each kilometer costs between 100,000 and 200,000 euros to maintain each year, which all adds up. Each line would need on average 9 million passengers to make it worth while, Madrid -Barcelona only draws in 5 million a year.
University Hospital of Asturias - €1300 million
Ok, it's a hospital but this new hospital was built to replace the old hospital but this time they made it smaller and surprise surprise they went over budget again...the original budget was €205 million.
Marina de Laredo - Cantabria - €90 million
Naturally there are still no boats or yachts in the marina. Mind you it is not the only one around the country, Valencia's city marina takes the biscuit but was justified becasue of the America's Cup.
The Steel Wood - Cuenca - €8 million (the land was free)
This may not sound like much in comparison but this is what a local council spent on a multi-use structure which they have no idea what they are going to do with it. It is abandoned and there is a competition to see if anyone can come up with a good idea....they hadn't thought of it before buidling it. They just thought it would be nice...
As I said this is the tip of the iceberg !!!