Costa del Sol drivers celebrate as notorious MA-21 pothole nightmare finally gets fixed

Costa del Sol residents celebrate the end of MA-21, the notorious pothole nightmare.


Residents who travel on the MA-21 to get to the airport and residents can breathe a huge sigh. The long-criticised tarmac will undergo a thorough facelift in late April. The Malaga Council has approved a project lasting a month to restore the highway’s former safety standards following months of complaints over the deteriorating surface. This maintenance project is a response to the recent uproar over vehicle damage.

Dates and times of resurfacing are crucial

Nightly closures will affect the road The road from Torremolinos to Malaga, between the airport and city boundary. Malaga Council has confirmed that the work will begin on Sunday, 26 April, and be completed by Friday morning, 22 May. The improvements are a response to reports that detailed the dangerous conditions drivers face on this route. They have to dodge potholes or cracks and suddenly swerve, while taxi drivers complain about the daily damage to their cars. Maintenance teams will continue to work through the night so that the road can be ready for the heavy traffic of the day.

Plan your trip to avoid delays

Each week, Sunday through Thursday, there will be a time when drivers are restricted from 11pm to 6am. To minimize disruption to weekend tourists and weekend visitors, workers will take a nightly break on Friday and Saturday. This schedule may be altered if heavy rains occur, since laying new asphalt is dependent on dry weather to ensure durability and quality over the long term. If you plan to drive late at night, it is a good idea to check the local weather forecast.

Alternative Routes to Local Traffic

The MA-21 is the only way to reach the airport or shopping centres. Before joining the MA-21, you must take the MA-23. Commuters traveling from Churriana in Torremolinos will be advised to take the Camino del Pilar. Drivers will be guided through the temporary diversion by detailed signs at key junctions.

Contractors from the council’s high-density road programme, specifically a joint venture between Suministros Asfálticos and Firmes y Asfaltados del Sur, will carry out the project. This much-anticipated upgrade is aimed at ending the “pothole catastrophe” that has plagued Costa del Sol’s main arterial for years. The Costa del Sol Airport and Costa del Sol can now look forward to a new entrance that is worthy of their stature.


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About Liam Bradford

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Liam Bradford, a seasoned news editor with over 20 years of experience, currently based in Spain, is known for his editorial expertise, commitment to journalistic integrity, and advocating for press freedom.

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