The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility will reopen the Pilar de la Horadada tunnel towards Cartagena this Thursday, following a closure that began on the ninth of May due to a serious accident that tragically claimed a truck driver’s life. The tunnel, which spans eight hundred metres, suffered significant damage to its electrical systems and safety features as a result of the incident.

Since the accident, the Ministry has worked diligently to repair the infrastructure, employing all available resources to expedite the reopening in a safe manner. The reopening is timely, as traffic is expected to exceed twenty thousand vehicles daily this month.

The repairs have included the restoration of all electrical supply and communication cables, surveillance cameras, lighting fixtures, SOS posts, and even interior ventilation systems. While there were no apparent structural damages, the Ministry conducted a thorough analysis of the concrete vault to assess any loss of strength caused by the high temperatures from the vehicle fire.

In addition to the emergency repairs, modernisation works are ongoing to enhance the tunnel’s energy efficiency and safety systems. The overall budget for these improvements is set at three point five million euros, funded by the NextGeneration EU recovery plan. Future full lane closures are expected to facilitate the ongoing works, with schedules designed to minimise disruption for users.