Since January 15th, the Madrid City Council has begun the first major phase of the A-5 undergrounding works, part of the ambitious Southwest Green Boulevard project. The operation will significantly affect traffic between kilometers 3.3 and 6.25 of the motorway, reducing its capacity by half and requiring the implementation of an extensive mobility plan with increased public transport services.

Starting in February, all traffic was diverted to the north carriageway to allow the start of undergrounding works on the south carriageway. In addition, the maximum speed in the construction zone will be limited to 50 km/h throughout the process.

To absorb demand and mitigate the impact of the closures, the Madrid City Council, in coordination with the Community of Madrid, has activated a public transport reinforcement plan. Furthermore, a team of more than 100 staff members at key Metro stations will assist users with information and guidance, and traffic will be monitored in real time to enable dynamic adjustments to diversions if necessary.

The A-5 undergrounding is not just an infrastructure project; it represents a transformation of the urban model. The project will reclaim the space currently occupied by the motorway for local neighborhoods. Currently, over 80,000 vehicles use the A-5 daily; once the works are completed, a 90% reduction in surface traffic and pollutant emissions is expected.

At surface level, a 3.2-kilometer pedestrian and cycling boulevard will be built, extending Avenida de Portugal to Padre Piquer, with 33 new pedestrian connections compared to the current 16. Traffic circulation will be adapted to local uses, prioritizing public transport and soft mobility.

Underground, the future tunnel will feature three lanes per direction across two sections, including bus-HOV lanes with variable signage to adapt to real-time traffic demand, thus improving the efficiency and flexibility of the road system.

More information at this link.