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Landslides destroy key Andalusian road: Six-month closure confirmed.
A-397: Disaster on the A-397: Road linking Ronda to Costa del Sol is closed
Credit: Shutterstock, vodograj
9,000 cars affected by the storm Stranded
Recent torrential rainfall caused massive rockslides that smashed through protective barriers, sending boulders crashing on to the highway. The damage was severe, with entire roadways destroyed. The road is divided into sections. Around 9,000 daily commuters were left stranded. Around 9,000 daily commuters were left stranded. Half hail from Ronda and the other half from nearby towns.
Emergency declared, but road stays Close
Transport chief Rocío Díaz insists the Junta acted fast, declaring an emergency on Sunday, March 9, and deploying drones and specialist rockfall teams. ‘We haven’t stopped for a moment,’ she stressed, promising a swift response. The work has been halted due to the continued rain, which made conditions unsafe.
Safety, she insists, comes first: ‘Right now, no one can work on-site. Security must be our top priority. Materials are being stockedpiled, When the skies clear, we’ll be on our way.
Phased repairs, but no quick fix
The Junta has outlined a Phased Plan to put the road back into action. First of all: Clearance The cliffs above are a source of unstable rock, When the weather allows, you can hire expert climbers. A heavy-duty containment system will then be installed to stop further collapses. Lastly, the work on rebuilding the viaduct that was ripped apart by falling debris will start.
It is estimated that the entire job will take six months. However, there is hope that one lane can be reopened within four and half months. Drivers will need to take alternate routes until then or prepare themselves for a lengthy wait.
Will the A-397 bounceback?
The Junta has thrown everything at the project, including top structural and geological experts. This will ensure that it is a permanent fix. For now, Andalusia’s most important road is nothing but a pile rubble. Thousands of people are wondering when the road will be repaired.
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