Since October 27, luminous signs on the M-30 have been warning drivers that the exit to Pirámides via the north tunnel of the southern bypass is completely closed. Motorists are advised to use the surface route, bypassing Méndez Álvaro, as a less disruptive alternative to the daily traffic congestion in that stretch of the tunnel. Traffic jams have become routine during peak evening hours, as commuters leave work. This applies to those heading towards Marqués de Vadillo and those attempting to navigate the route hoping that access via Virgen del Puerto might offer some relief. Until further notice, this underground path to the south is to be avoided.
What caused this mysterious closure?
Many questions are circulating among the hundreds of commuters who use this section daily: What caused this mysterious closure? Is it a surprise project by the City Council? When will this access reopen? Many drivers encountered this unexpected obstacle in their already challenging daily commute. GRAN MADRID aims to answer these questions, though some, like the completion date of the intervention, remain undetermined due to weather conditions.
The primary reason for the closure of the traffic lane towards Pirámides, along the 4.2 kilometers of asphalt forming the north tunnel of the southern bypass, is water seepage caused by heavy rains. This led to a sinkhole on the bike path of Paseo de Yeserías, at the corner of Calle Melilla. The alarm was raised after heavy rainfall in the capital at the end of August. Consequently, Madrid Calle 30 is undertaking work inside the tunnel, where a reinforcement wall is being constructed to prevent future problems.
Adverse weather forecasts delaying works
“Concrete pouring is even happening on Saturdays,” sources close to the project told this newspaper, highlighting the intense pace of a delicate intervention that, however, must contend with an inconvenient guest this autumn: rain. The Department of Works and Equipment, which oversees Madrid Calle 30, states that the rainfall episodes recorded in November, and those expected from today, have delayed and will continue to delay the work, which is expected to extend throughout the next week. Evidently, this foundation work does not fare well with water.
Once these internal works are completed, the damage to the road surface will need to be repaired by filling the sinkhole with concrete from the outside. Finally, after the internal tunnel wall is reconstructed, the bike path will be repaired.
The reopening to traffic remains an unknown, hence the persistent message: “It is preferable to lose five minutes on the surface via the southern interchange than to further collapse the tunnel.” This marks the first major surgery on a southern bypass that has now reached its majority (2007) and has become an essential component of the capital’s traffic infrastructure. It was conceived to relieve traffic from the city’s Southern Interchange. Its implementation eliminated over 40% of the congestion in this perpetually busy southern arc, providing significant relief, especially in these times of major construction across the city. As the popular saying goes: “When the M-30 catches a cold, all of Madrid sneezes.” This cold still has several evenings of convalescence ahead.
The current closure is causing significant disruption, particularly during peak hours, and commuters are urged to plan their routes accordingly. The City Council has not yet provided a definitive timeline for the reopening, emphasizing that safety is the top priority and that the repairs must be thorough to prevent future incidents. Local businesses and residents in the affected areas are also feeling the impact of the prolonged closure.
The M-30, a vital artery for Madrid, has seen several major interventions since its construction. This current closure highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining urban infrastructure, especially in the face of unpredictable weather patterns. The City Council continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as the work progresses.
Drivers are encouraged to check real-time traffic updates and consider alternative routes to minimize delays. The authorities reiterate that the current measures are necessary to ensure the long-term safety and stability of the tunnel and the surrounding infrastructure.
Source: https://www.elmundo.es/madrid/2025/11/13/6914d0b1fdddfff62f8b45a8.html
