Workers beat the odds to reopen a vital road

After four months of intensive emergency work, the A-397 road connecting Ronda and San Pedro de Alcántara reopened to traffic at midnight on Monday, July 14.

The reopening, which is regulated by traffic lights to allow alternating one-way traffic, brings significant relief to thousands of drivers who rely on the vital link between the Serranía de Ronda and the Costa del Sol. The workers proved wrong the sceptics who thought the project would take a lot longer and opened the road earlier than they expected.

Reopening of the bridge follows extensive repairs in a highly unstable and dangerous terrain. The project’s budget rose from €3.7 million to €4.5 million due to additional geotechnical risks, which required advanced techniques such as controlled micro-blasting.

Since the road’s closure on March 8, caused by a massive rockfall during heavy storms in Benahavís, drivers had faced long, costly detours via routes like Gaucín-Manilva or toll motorways. The rockfall caused extensive damage to both the bridge deck and road. Work included installing precast concrete slabs on the bridge deck, stabilising slopes with drainage systems and adding signage.

This extremely difficult project required night shifts and round-the clock work. Heavy machinery was used, as well as geotechnical experts with specialised expertise in monitoring safety. Even though the partial reopening has been completed, efforts to prevent further landslides will continue. This includes strengthening walls and building containment structures.

Regional Infrastructure Minister Rocío Díaz fulfilled her commitment to expedite the restoration of this critical artery. For the time being, traffic signals will control alternate flow until a full reopening. After that, further improvements are in store.