Alicante's AP-7 motorway now completely toll-free: Trial ends with impressive results

The Spanish Council of Ministers has given final approval to the complete abolition of tolls on the Alicante AP-7 road, making it a free alternative for all users. This decision ends a pilot program launched in July 2024, which offered a 100% discount on tolls.

Transport Minister Oscar Puente stated that the liberalization of the AP-7 is based on a thorough analysis that demonstrated significant benefits for society and the environment. The primary objective was to reduce critical congestion on the A-70 motorway, which runs through the municipality of Alicante.

An analysis conducted by the Ministry of Transport showed that converting the AP-7 to a toll-free regime has yielded impressive results. During the autumn period (September-November 2024), congestion on the A-70 decreased by 18-43%, while demand for travel on the AP-7 doubled, ensuring optimal service levels and reducing travel times. During the summer months, the effect was even more pronounced, reducing congestion on the A-70 by up to 74%.

Furthermore, the reduced congestion on the A-70 resulted in a reduction in CO2 emissions: by 14% in the southbound direction and by 24% in the northbound direction, thanks to a more stable traffic flow.

Alicante Mayor Luis Barcala welcomed this decision, calling it the fulfillment of a "long-standing demand" from citizens. He emphasized that this measure eliminates the congestion problem that has turned the A-70 into a regional bottleneck. Management of the A-70 will be transferred to the General Directorate of Roads of the Ministry of Transport.