Work gets underway on third lane of Orihuela motorway
The new stretch of the A-7 between Orihuela and Crevillent should be ready by 2029
Exciting news for commuters and residents of Alicante as the long-awaited project to add a third lane to the A-7 motorway between Orihuela and Crevillent has finally kicked off. The joint venture between Ferrovial Construcciones SA and Acsa Obras e Infraestructuras SAU has begun work on the 86.9 million euro project, which is expected to be completed by 2029.
The project aims to improve traffic conditions and road safety on this very busy stretch of road. In addition to the usual daily traffic, it services a huge number of trucks and the third lane will, in the future, connect with the logistics centres in the San Isidro industrial estate and in Murcia.
The new third lane will be built on a 3.50-metre platform, with a 2.50-metre right shoulder and a 1.60-metre outer verge.
The construction process has already begun. The first section to be worked on will be the initial two kilometres, between 531+900 and 534, near Crevillent. The team will also start replacing pipelines and irrigation installations, demolishing constructions and preparing the area for the new lane.
According to sources from the Ministry of Transport, the impact on traffic is expected to be minimal during the initial phase, as the works will be carried out outside the current route of the motorway. This is great news for the many commuters who rely on the A-7 for their daily journeys.
Back in 2008, a third motorway lane was added to the existing Elche-Crevillent road, and the latest extension will expand this stretch even further. The extension will also involve the remodelling of several interchanges, including Crevillent-Catral, Albatera-San Isidro, Granja de Rocamora-Cox, N-340 Redován and Orihuela-Benferri.
The project includes several safety features, such as a vehicle containment system to prevent heavy vehicles from entering the carriageway in the opposite direction.
In addition, the median strip will be fitted with a containment system, and the space between the inner hard shoulders will be filled in to ensure proper drainage and prevent flooding.
To minimise the impact on nearby urbanisations, the project includes noise protection measures, such as sound barriers and acoustic screens.
Images: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela
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