Major landslide cuts off key road between Marbella and Ronda
Thousands of drivers face months of disruption after a huge collapse on the A-397
Commuters in southern Spain are bracing for months of travel disruption after a major landslide destroyed a section of the A-397, the main road linking Ronda with the Costa del Sol. The collapse, which happened at midday on Saturday March 8, has completely cut off traffic in both directions.The landslide occurred at kilometre 31 of the road, near Benahavís, forcing authorities to close the stretch between the Benahavís access junction and the Igualeja road (MA-7304). The Junta de Andalucía has confirmed that the road will remain shut for the foreseeable future due to the severity of the damage.
With around 7,500 vehicles using the A-397 every day, the closure is expected to cause severe disruption for workers who commute between Ronda and San Pedro de Alcántara. Alternative routes, such as those passing through Gaucín and Manilva or via Ardales and Coín, could double travel times, with journeys taking up to two hours.
Experts say that a quick fix is not an option. The Ministry of Public Works has ruled out a temporary bypass, stating that the collapse has affected a steep 200-metre-high slope, which must first be stabilised before any repairs can begin. “The total duration of this situation will be several months,” a ministry spokesperson confirmed.
Geotechnical engineer Juan Carlos Romero echoed these concerns, explaining that constructing a provisional detour would be highly complex due to the steep gradient. “This will take months to repair. Any temporary solution must be carefully considered, but given the 45-degree slope, it won’t be easy or cheap,” he commented on social media.
Work to stabilise the slope has already begun, with the Junta de Andalucía deploying specialist teams and drones to assess the full extent of the damage. Engineers are now working to determine the safest and most efficient way to rebuild the road.
Despite these efforts, frustration is mounting among affected residents. Many have taken to social media to vent their anger, blaming the authorities for failing to maintain the road properly. One commuter, Carlos Alvarado, said: “These are things that happen due to the lack of maintenance on our roads. Many people, including government officials, have no idea about the traffic this road handles. But in the end, it’s us – thousands of people who travel up and down to earn a living because we can’t do so in our home town – who get screwed over.”
For now, drivers will need to prepare for long detours, as experts warn that a solution is still a long way off.
Image 1: @AngelesMunoz_/X
Image 2: Guardia Civil
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