Pilar de la Horadada AP-7 tunnel fails to reopen as planned
The vital motorway tunnel linking Orihuela Costa with Murcia will remain closed ‘until further notice’
Much to the relief of thousands of motorists, the Ministry of Transport delivered the good news last week that the AP-7 tunnel in Pilar de la Horadada, on the southernmost tip of the Orihuela Costa, would be reopening on the last weekend of June. Sadly, this has failed to materialise and motorists are now being advised that the tunnel will remain shut to traffic until further notice.
The southbound tunnel, used frequently by commuters and daytrippers to pass back and forth over the border between the Region of Murcia and Alicante, has been closed for repairs since May 9 following a fatal lorry crash. Since then, traffic has been backed up on a daily basis as all cars and trucks have to be diverted to the N-332 dual carriageway, under pressure at the best of times.
The traffic jams are particularly severe in the border towns of San Pedro del Pinatar and Pilar de la Horadada.
The plan was to reopen the tunnel over the weekend, but this never happened.
“I have contacted the Ministry of Transport, the Valencia and Alicante road departments, the Government Subdelegation, and the concessionaire. Finally, AUSUR has informed me that the works will continue through this last weekend of June (27-29) and that they will let us know more next week, at the beginning of July,” mayor José María Pérez confirmed late on Friday June 27.
For now though, no firm date has been given for the reopening.
Image: Alicante Provincial Firefighters Consortium
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