The Government Unblocks the Duplication of the N-332 in Torrevieja

The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has already obtained the favourable Environmental Impact Report from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge for the project to duplicate the N-332 road as it passes through Torrevieja. This is a crucial step to complete the drafting of the project and initiate the procedures for initial approval and public information.

This infrastructure is essential for the connection of the southern province of Alicante, as it will help to decongest this busy road and avoid traffic jams that occur, especially in summer, mainly at the entrance to Torrevieja.

It is a historic demand of the Vega Baja, which is progressing through the necessary procedures. This is not the only advancement in infrastructure in Alicante during the current legislature. The Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, has also expedited the so-called Torrellano Variant in Alicante, which will allow the removal of the railway tracks from the southern coastal strip of the capital and, ultimately, connect the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport by rail.

The N-332 duplication project in Torrevieja involves an investment of 55 million euros (including VAT) to add two lanes, one in each direction, along 4.47 kilometres of the bypass, between the junctions with the CV-95 roads and Avenida Rosa Mazón Valero (from km 53.690 to 58.160 of the N-322).

The aim of the action is "to strengthen the road's capacity to improve traffic flow and road safety, reducing high congestion levels," according to the Government Delegation. The Torrevieja bypass handles traffic of 40,000 vehicles per day, which rises to 50,000 in the summer months, causing frequent traffic jams.

The projected solution will be developed entirely along the current N-332 road corridor, at the height of Torrevieja. The new road will have the characteristics of a multi-lane road, with a project speed of 80 km/h and two new lanes, each 3.5m wide.

To address noise pollution, four sound-absorbing screens will be installed, with noise attenuation properties of category B3. These screens will be between 2m and 3m high and have a total approximate length of 1.153 km, installed in different areas of the section, coinciding with the most sensitive buildings.

The environmental assessment has analysed the potential impacts on the population and human health, the atmosphere, surface and groundwater hydrology, soil, subsoil and geodiversity, flora and fauna, cultural heritage, and landscape.

This assessment examines environmental conditions, including preventive, corrective, and compensatory measures; and establishes a series of additional prescriptions, in line with those already included in the project, related to noise pollution, flood risk, and the management of construction materials under the principle of circular economy.

Thus, the acoustic screens must be integrated into the landscape, considering the use of sound-absorbing pavement or any other additional measure that allows meeting acoustic quality objectives. It also highlights the importance of verifying that the works do not generate new flows or increase the risk of flooding.

The action is framed within the Segura Hydrographic Basin, within the Guadalentín – Segura quaternary aquifer system, although its interest as an aquifer is limited due to its poor hydrodynamic characteristics and high saline concentration.

Moreover, almost the entire route is located on urban land in the municipality of Torrevieja, and the project is outside the Natura 2000 Network LIC and ZEPA Lagunas de la Mata and Torrevieja, as well as the Natural Park of Lagunas de la Mata and Torrevieja, with no significant impacts on these natural areas.