The highway that connects Madrid with the Levant peninsula is set to undergo its most ambitious renovation in decades. In February, the Ministry of Transport gave the green light to the preliminary project for the reform and conservation of the A-3, defining the scope of work and detailing the cost. This significant investment is among the highest ever made for road infrastructure in Spain, and here are all the essential details.
What is this about?
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility approved the preliminary project for the reform of the A-3 on February 27, establishing a base tender budget of €540.8 million (including VAT). This extensive project will cover the section starting at kilometer 3.8, where the highway leaves the M-30, and extending up to kilometer 70.7, near the border with Cuenca province. In total, a comprehensive 67 kilometers will be renovated.
Why now?
The A-3 is a critical artery for traffic entering and leaving Madrid, accommodating substantial volumes of vehicles daily. Over the years, the highway has faced considerable wear and tear, and many structures and safety systems no longer comply with modern standards. The forthcoming reforms aim to modernize this essential road.
What exactly is going to be done?
The Ministry’s plan includes a wide array of interventions covering nearly every aspect of the highway:
- Rehabilitation of the pavement across the main trunk, service roads, collector roads, and branches, extending a new road surface throughout the platform.
- Reorganization of access points and expansion of berms to enhance visibility and safety.
- Rehabilitation of existing structures and preliminary designs for new ones, including deck extensions and gauge adjustments.
- Full replacement of vertical signage and repainting of road markings.
- Improvement of the drainage system and replacement of containment systems.
- Re-highlighting of specific highway sections.
- Installation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), including new capacity stations, variable messaging panels, cameras, and license plate recognition systems for a specialized public transport lane.
- Replacement of old sodium vapor lights with LED technology.
- Relocation and adaptation of public transport stops.
There is more.
In addition to the A-3 renovations, the preliminary project encompasses a 12-kilometer section of the N-3 national highway, between kilometers 29 and 40.975. This will involve pavement and structure rehabilitation, along with updates to containment and signaling systems.
What lies ahead?
The preliminary draft represents only the initial administrative step. The details can also be found in the BOE, and final approval of the construction project is necessary before work can be tendered. Importantly, the Ministry has indicated that efforts will be undertaken in sections via independent projects, allowing for progressive work. Specific timelines for the commencement of construction have not yet been provided, so further updates are anticipated.
The figure in perspective.
The €540 million investment ranks among the highest amounts allocated for renovating a highway in Spain. For context, recent new construction projects like the Jaca Bypass tendered for €153.6 million and the SE-40 layout project in Seville, which exceeded €688 million, highlight this significant investment, especially as it pertains to reforms rather than new builds.
Additionally, the Ministry announced a package of improvements in December 2023, which encompassed five projects across four highways (A-1, A-2, A-4, and A-42) totaling €360 million for 36 kilometers. In comparison, the €540 million for 67 kilometers on the A-3 outstrips that combined expenditure within a single major reform project.
Cover image | Ministry of Transport and Google Maps
In Xataka | There are roads in India that suddenly turn red: the reason is to save you from running over a tiger