After more than two years of work, Madrid’s A-5 tunnel is drawing its last breath. And according to Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, starting on December 23, drivers will be able to pass through the tunnel, completing a major part of the project to renew the entire area. Curiously, the calendar indicated 2027 as the end date, but the pace has been much faster than expected.
What we can find. According to Madrid Informa, the tunnel will cover about three kilometers, 3.2 kilometers between Avenida de Portugal and Calle Padre Piquére. It will have three lanes on each side, divided into two independent galleries. On the other hand, Media El Economista reported that the lanes closest to the median will serve as bus-HOV lanes, with variable signage to adjust their use to traffic demand.
At what stage is the work done? Excavation of both tunnels ended in May and civil works were completed at the end of August, as shared by Madrid Informer. Crews are now working on cladding, lighting, ventilation and finishing. Madrid City Council has put the investment in this first phase at 410 million euros, according to El Economista.
last hurdle The tunnel will still be connected to the M-30 tunnel under Avenida de Portugal. And according to Madrid Informa, this would require the complete closure of the A-5 in both directions and the destruction of the remaining entrance and exit ramps. According to the city council this is a “point of no return”, since once the ramps are removed, traffic will stop flowing on the surface and will resume later when the tunnel is finished.
date cut. Those haven’t been set yet, and Almeida acknowledged the inconvenience would be “significant,” so the City Council is looking for the moment when, according to ABC, the least amount of inconvenience would be caused. According to El Economista, the cuts are expected in the first week of December, when traffic slows before Christmas and during the long weekend, but they have not yet been officially specified.
Plan when to complete tasks. From 20 minutes on they indicate that the City Council is meeting with the Regional Transport Consortium, the Municipal Bus Company EMTs and the city’s Traffic and Commuter Team. Options include diverting some traffic to M-40 and increasing EMT bus, Metro and intercity service. The city council plans to ask Renfe to strengthen the C-5 commuter line, which connects several cities in the southwest to the capital. When the works are completed, Portugal Avenue and its surroundings are expected to be particularly sensitive.
The tunnel is finished, but not the whole project. Paseo Verde del Suroeste, the surface park that will replace the highway, has not yet been built. From El Economista they detail that a consortium formed by Sarrión, Cyopsa and Becsa has proposed 56.57 million euros (46.76 million before VAT) for the works, with a duration of 18 months, so the works are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2028.
convenience. According to Madrid Informa, the project will restore more than 100,000 square meters and create a 3.2 kilometer corridor that will connect Latina Madrid Rio, Casa de Campo and Cuna Verde. It has 33 pedestrian crossings and about 3.5 kilometers of cycle lanes. The city council aims to reduce surface traffic by up to 90%, burying a large portion of the approximately 80,000 vehicles that use the corridor each day. Also, the neighborhoods of Lucero, Aluche, Las Aguilas and Campamento, divided by the highway since 1968, will be added.
El Confidential notes that, with regional and municipal elections scheduled for May 2027, Almeida has compelling reasons to want to finish the flagship project ahead of schedule.
Cover image The Madrid Project
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