Untertunnelung von Ringautobahn von Palma de Mallorca soll etwa eine Milliarde Euro kosten!

Mallorca’s Ambitious Infrastructure Proposal: Tunneling Palma’s Ring Motorway

€1 Billion Urban Transformation Project Approved

Palma de Mallorca could undergo one of Spain’s most significant urban transformations as island politicians approved plans to tunnel sections of the Ma-20 ring motorway. With projected costs reaching €1 billion, the controversial infrastructure project passed in the Consell de Mallorca plenary session thanks to support from the governing conservative Partido Popular (PP), despite originating from opposition Socialist Party (PSOE) proposals.

Reconnecting Divided Neighborhoods

Socialist councilor Francesc Dalmau championed the initiative, stating: “This project would revitalize neighborhoods like Nou Llevant, La Soledat, Son Malferit, Son Gotleu and Rafal Vell that currently suffer from urban fragmentation caused by the motorway barrier.” The tunnel concept draws inspiration from successful Spanish infrastructure projects including:

• Madrid Río’s riverfront transformation (€250 million initial phase)
• Barcelona’s Avinguda Meridiana tunnel project
• L’Hospitalet de Llobregat’s urban integration efforts

Funding Challenges and Comparative Costs

Mobility Councilor Antonio Deudero noted the €1 billion estimate matches projected costs for the separate Llucmajor railway extension. “While we endorse the concept,” Deudero clarified, “implementation depends entirely on financial commitments from Spain’s Transport Ministry and European Union cohesion funds.”

Multi-Level Funding Strategy

The approved motion compels Mallorcan authorities to:

1. Formally request a cooperation agreement with Spain’s Ministry of Transport
2. Apply for EU Urban Connectivity Fund support
3. Seek financing through NextGenerationEU’s sustainable mobility initiatives

Technical and Political Considerations

Infrastructure experts highlight technical challenges given Palma’s:

• High water table levels (3-5 meters below surface in coastal areas)
• Historic city center preservation requirements
• Existing traffic volume of 120,000 vehicles/day on Ma-20 (2023 Balearic Ports Authority data)

The rare cross-party consensus between PP and PSOE suggests strong institutional support, though project timelines remain uncertain without guaranteed funding. Similar urban tunneling projects in Mediterranean cities have taken 8-12 years from approval to completion.

Next Steps for the Proposal

Mallorcan officials must now submit detailed feasibility studies to Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic and the European Investment Bank. The project’s advancement depends on inclusion in the 2025-2028 National Infrastructure Investment Plan currently being drafted by Spain’s coalition government.

For complete details on the proposal and voting records, consult the original report at Mallorca Magazin.