A temporary third lane has been suggested as a possible short-term solution to the serious summer traffic problems on the N-332 through Torrevieja.
The idea comes from professionals who regularly use the road. They say a reversible lane could be opened in whichever direction has the heaviest traffic, easing the congestion for vehicles travel towards either Alicante or Cartagena.
The proposal has not been formally approved and would require a detailed road safety study. However, supporters believe it could reduce congestion while Torrevieja continues waiting for the long-promised widening of the bypass.
Plans to create two lanes in each direction have been delayed for more than 20 years. With construction unlikely to begin soon, pressure is growing for temporary measures to improve traffic flow.
During the busiest days of July and August, the N-332 can carry as many as 55,000 vehicles. The Torrevieja bypass currently has only one lane in each direction, resulting in long queues and delays.
Congestion also spreads onto other important roads, particularly the CV-95 and CV-905, because vehicles struggle to enter or leave the overloaded N-332.
Safety Study Required
Creating a temporary third lane would not be as simple as repainting the road markings.
The existing carriageway has two lanes measuring 3.5 metres each, giving a total width of seven metres. There are also shoulders of at least one metre on either side.
Three standard lanes would require at least 10.5 metres. Any temporary arrangement would therefore need to use part of the shoulders and include changes to drainage, roadside safety areas and access points.
The shoulders are particularly important for emergency vehicles. Ambulances regularly use the bypass to reach Torrevieja University Hospital, while firefighters also need space to pass stationary traffic.
Supporters argue that a temporary lane would still be far cheaper and quicker than the complete widening project. Doubling the 4.47-kilometre section is expected to cost more than €50 million.
They also point to the N-332 through Orihuela Costa, where two lanes operate in each direction with very limited shoulders. That section was built during the late 2000s and has continued operating despite its restricted roadside space.
Queues Stretching Eight Kilometres
Traffic problems on the Torrevieja bypass have reportedly worsened this summer.
Queues heading towards Cartagena normally begin near the entrance from the Ozone shopping and leisure area. On particularly busy days, however, slow-moving traffic has stretched along the entire eight-kilometre bypass as far as Quirón Hospital.
The experimental AI-controlled traffic lights at the Punta Prima and Rocío del Mar roundabout have also been blamed for contributing to delays. The Ministry of Transport invested approximately €400,000 in the controversial system.
Further problems are caused by vehicles parked on the N-332 exit road near San Roque. Residents reportedly use the area because of limited parking close to Acequión and Los Náufragos beaches.
The bypass has previously required special safety measures following a series of serious accidents. Authorities installed additional signs and flashing warning lights, banned overtaking across double solid lines and declared the section beside San Roque and Villa Amalia an accident blackspot.
Serious crashes have since fallen, but rear-end collisions remain a concern when motorists suddenly encounter stationary traffic.
The Civil Guard already has experience operating temporary and reversible lanes during holiday periods and major traffic operations.
A similar solution was proposed in 2017 by Ciudadanos councillor Pilar Gómez Magán, who called for cones and temporary signs to change the direction of a lane according to traffic demand.
Almost a decade later, and with the permanent widening project still delayed, the temporary-lane proposal has returned as a possible way of bringing some relief to one of the area’s worst traffic bottlenecks.
