Spain’s Ministry of Transport has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct an additional traffic lane on the A-7 Autovía del Mediterráneo road in Alicante, specifically within the vicinity bordering the Region of Murcia.
The General Directorate of Roads officially released the project details for the expansion of the Autovía del Mediterráneo roadway, focusing on the section spanning from Crevillente to Orihuela. With a budget exceeding 94 million euros, the initiative is poised to enhance the infrastructure and traffic flow along this vital corridor. The announcement was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on Tuesday, 19th September.
Despite the longstanding demand for road widening in numerous parts of Murcia, the current initiative is confined to a 17-kilometer segment of the A-7. Many areas within Murcia have awaited the expansion of this dual carriageway, as it traverses major metropolitan zones including the capital city of Murcia and Lorca.
In close proximity to Murcia city, where traffic is most concentrated, the new lane will integrate with the construction of the Arco Norte. This strategic move aims to relocate the connection point between the A-7 and the A-30, diverting it away from the shopping centres junction.
The Ministry stated, “The objective of this action is to increase the capacity from two to three lanes on each side of the dual carriageway,” spanning from Crevillente to the Orihuela junction with Benferri. They further emphasised that this development builds upon the previous section, which has featured three lanes on each carriageway since 2008, between Elche and Crevillente.
While the project had been included in past General State Budgets, it had not yet progressed to the tendering stage until now. This significant step forward underscores the government’s commitment to bolstering the region’s transportation infrastructure, ultimately benefiting residents and commuters alike