10/11/2025
The Regional Ministry of Development, Territorial Planning and Housing of the Government of Andalusia has launched the works to upgrade the road between Almonte and El Rocío (A-483). The project involves the construction of a third reversible lane reserved for buses and high-occupancy vehicles (BUS-VAO), awarded to Sando Construcción as part of a joint venture with Comsa, with a total investment of €28 million.
The official start of works ceremony was attended by Rocío Díaz, Regional Minister for Development, Territorial Planning and Housing, and Loles López, Regional Minister for Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality.
The new BUS-VAO lane will be a reversible reserved platform implemented along the section between Almonte and the El Rocío bypass, specifically within the municipality of Almonte (Huelva). Sando Construcción will widen the existing carriageway to provide two conventional traffic lanes—one in each direction—and a third central reversible lane for BUS-VAO vehicles along a 9.8-kilometre stretch (from kilometre 13+870 to 23+630).
As highlighted by the Regional Minister for Development, the works carried out by Sando Construcción will include the complete resurfacing of the road using MASAI (Sustainable, Automated and Intelligent Asphalt Materials), an environmentally friendly asphalt developed in Andalusia.
Aligned with circular-economy principles, this type of asphalt is produced at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. It also incorporates recycled materials obtained from the milling of existing Roads, as well as rubber powder from end-of-life tyres.
The road upgrade between Almonte and El Rocío, featuring a reversible BUS-VAO lane, will incorporate a pilot intelligent transport system specifically designed for this road in collaboration with Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT). The system will determine the direction of traffic based on real-time demand.
To this end, variable message sign gantries with illuminated panels will be installed, supported by road-embedded beacons. The deployment of this Signalling infrastructure will require electrical and data ducting to connect the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) equipment to the DGT’s traffic control and management system.
To deliver the new BUS-VAO lane, Sando Construcción will widen the carriageway and adapt existing cross-sections, including the reinstatement of affected access roads and services. The project also includes the widening of the bridge over the Santa María stream through the construction of a new deck with a total width of 5.75 metres, incorporating an additional traffic lane, shoulder and safety elements. In addition, the existing wildlife underpass for the Iberian lynx at kilometre 20.9 will be extended on its right-hand side.
The project envisages the construction of four new roundabouts and a 900-metre service road, five bus stops, fencing and enclosures, lighting at roundabouts and boundary markers. It also includes variable signage systems, closed-circuit television, traffic lights and traffic counters to enable the dynamic management of the reversible lane.
This initiative, which forms part of the Government of Andalusia’s strategy to improve sustainable mobility and territorial connectivity, is aligned with Sando’s Sustainability Master Plan. The project is committed to intelligent technical solutions that optimise the use of existing infrastructure while reducing environmental impact.
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