In Madrid The final construction phase to tunnel beneath the A-5: the direct connection between the new A-5 tunnel and the M-30 at the Avenida de Portugal will be completely closed in both directions for 43 days. According to the city council, the closure is due to end on 23 December 2026. During this period, the existing ramps will be dismantled and the tunnel sections structurally connected.
The City of Madrid says the full closure is necessary to meet safety requirements while joining two tunnel sections and to concentrate critical works so that the underground section can enter service before the end of the year. The surface area will then be Paseo Verde del Suroeste redeveloped. The structural work on the tunnel is considered complete; technical equipment, ventilation, lighting and the connection to the M-30 are now being finalised.
To mitigate the impact, the transport authorities and the Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid have presented a package of measures. According to the plan, Metro services, the municipal bus company EMT and selected regional bus services will be increased during the closure. The city also recommends using wider diversions via the M-40, M-503, M-500 or A-6, connecting to the M-30, depending on the journey’s starting point. Drivers should expect changed routes, longer journey times and significant extra traffic on diversion routes.
For rail services, the schedule takes account of an overlap with works already planned by infrastructure operator Adif From 11 November 2026, there will be disruption between Villaverde Alto and Atocha on Cercanías line C-5; some trains will terminate early at Villaverde Alto. The authorities point out that increased public transport frequencies and consistent use of the recommended diversions are essential to limit congestion.
Forecasts of future time savings once the tunnel enters service are based on estimates by the city council; reliable measurements will naturally only be available after it opens. What is clear is that the disruption concentrates the traffic impact into a limited period, in order to complete the new link by 23 December and prepare for the redevelopment of the surface area along the former route.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).