The walkway is one meter (3 feet and 3 inches) in width, and rises over 100 meters (350 feet) above the river below. It is currently in a highly deteriorated state and there are numerous sections where part of or the entire concrete top has collapsed away. The result is large open air gaps that are bridged only by narrow steel beams or other support fixtures. Very few of the original handrails exist but a Via ferrata safety-wire runs the length of the path. Several people have lost their lives on the walkway in recent years and after two fatal accidents in 1999 and 2000,[2] the local government closed both entrances.
The regional government of Andalusia budgeted in 2006 for a restoration plan[3] estimated at € 7 million.
The President of Malaga Provincial Government, Salvador Pendon, announced that the budget to restore the three-kilometre walkway is €8.3m, financed by the provincial government.
The project will take approximately three years from when it is due to start in mid-2011.[4]
Many of the original features will remain in place and the new materials that are used will be in keeping with the old design.
Pendon also said talks were being held to determine whether a train could once again travel the old route and restore the Coscojal station.
