The A-44 highway, the main link between Granada and the Costa Tropical, will be completely closed to traffic between kilometers 165 and 175 starting September 9 and lasting until December 19, due to urgent repair works on the Rules Viaduct.
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility confirmed that, during this period, traffic will be diverted via the N-323 national road. As an alternative, the A-346 connecting Órgiva and Vélez de Benaudalla can be used to rejoin the A-44 at kilometer 175, although this road is not suitable for trucks or oversized vehicles.
The closure directly affects access to the Port of Motril, whose authorities have been notified to inform local companies operating in the harbor. Despite the restrictions, the Port Authority assured that operations will continue normally, including the transport of wind turbine blades.
Local councils across the Costa Tropical expressed frustration, claiming they were not informed in advance by the Subdelegation of the Government. Motril’s mayor, Luisa García Chamorro, stated that while the works are necessary, “the logical step would have been to call a meeting with affected municipalities to coordinate solutions.”
Juanjo Ruiz Joya, Mayor of Almuñécar, criticized what he described as “a total absence of institutional loyalty and planning,” warning that the measure will impact both residents and businesses: “In Almuñécar and La Herradura we depend on tourism, agriculture, and local companies. Rerouting traffic onto the already saturated N-340 risks collapsing the road, creating safety concerns, and damaging a tourism sector that sustains thousands of families,” he said.
Ruiz Joya stressed that while municipalities support infrastructure improvements, decisions of this magnitude should not be imposed without dialogue or coordination:
“We demand planning, viable alternatives, and respect for the Costa Tropical,” he added.
The detour along the old coastal road is expected to mean longer and slower journeys, with potential traffic jams affecting commuters, students, freight carriers, and emergency services.
According to the Ministry, these measures are essential to ensure the safety of the infrastructure and all road users.
