Alicante's AP-7 bypass goes toll-free permanently
The Alicante city ring road has drastically reduced traffic gridlock on the A-70 motorway
The AP-7 toll on the Alicante bypass is now permanently free of charge for drivers. On Tuesday December 9, the Council of Ministers gave the green light to scrap the ring road charges for good, after confirming "the effectiveness of the trial period of free passage established in July 2024."
The ring-road forms part of Spain’s AP-7 motorway, a road which runs from Alicante, down along the coast of Murcia and into Andalucía. According to the latest figures, scrapping the toll has resulted in a 10-15% increase in traffic on the road, while also reducing congestion on the A-70 motorway, which was the main focus.
The AP-7 section is being transferred from the State Society for Land Transport Infrastructures (SEITT) to become a toll-free road managed by the Directorate General of Roads (DGC) under the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
Drivers on the AP-7 Alicante bypass have been enjoying completely free travel since July 2024, when a pilot scheme kicked off to "assess whether its use would be safe, comfortable and effective as an alternative to the A-70 motorway, which was nearing its maximum capacity."
The trial clearly worked. The bypass has successfully taken pressure off the A-70, which was struggling to cope with traffic volumes.
"For years we have been calling for the permanent removal of the AP-7 toll because the first Alicante bypass, the A-70, accumulates very intense traffic flows, which were reaching their maximum capacity and also fully affecting the connection roads with the city's urban network," highlighted the mayor.
The trial period launched by the Ministry of Transport has confirmed the need for this measure to benefit traffic flow in Alicante and contribute to environmental conservation.
Also of interest: Torrevieja rescuers free rare violet stingray after rocky stranding
Image: Archive
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