Four A-7 tunnels near Motril get €16m safety overhaul

Major safety upgrades have just wrapped up on four key tunnels along the A-7 motorway on Granada’s Costa Tropical. Spain’s Ministry of Transport poured €16.26 million into the work, bringing the tunnels fully in line with current European standards after months of carefully staged works.

Tunnels brought up to scratch with modern rules

Work focused on the Los Ramoncillos, La Guapa, El Acebuchal and Madroño tunnels near Motril. Crews replaced and upgraded almost every critical system inside the tubes. Fire protection systems now include faster detection and more reliable suppression equipment. Ventilation has been completely overhauled so smoke can be cleared more quickly in an emergency. Emergency lighting, communications links, CCTV cameras and automatic incident detection all received full modernisation. A new centralised SCADA control system now lets operators monitor all four tunnels in real time, spotting problems early and managing traffic more effectively from a single control point.

Civil works improve escape routes and road surface

Other than the technical kit, teams carried out solid civil engineering improvements. New emergency galleries and escape exits were built or upgraded, giving drivers clearer and safer ways out if something goes wrong. Fresh road surfaces went down across the full length of each tunnel, reducing the risk of skids and improving ride quality. Drainage systems designed to handle hazardous liquids were improved, new hydrant networks were installed for fire crews, and electrical supplies were strengthened. Containment barriers, updated signage and clearer road markings complete the package, making the tunnels easier to drive through in both normal and emergency conditions.

Better lighting, safer visibility, and easier emergency exits

Completed works make the tunnels safer for the thousands of drivers who use this stretch of the A-7 every day between the Costa Tropical and the rest of Andalusia. Regular users already report clearer lighting, better visibility and more reliable emergency systems as they pass through the four tunnels. All the main safety elements are now fully operational, giving motorists greater confidence on one of the region’s busiest coastal routes.