The AP-4 motorway, which connects Sevilla with the beaches of Cádiz, will have a temporary third lane of 3.2 kilometres at Las Cabezas this summer, according to government sources. The measure, similar to last year, aims to alleviate recurring traffic jams, although there is no specific date for its implementation.
The AP-4, the main access route from Sevilla to the beaches of Cádiz, will once again experience the usual congestion this summer, but at least there will be temporary relief: the opening of a temporary third lane of 3.2 kilometres at Las Cabezas, as confirmed by government sources to this newspaper. The measure, which was first implemented in August 2025, will be repeated this summer, although there is no specific date for its launch. Meanwhile, Sevilla drivers planning to travel to the coast this weekend will face delays, exacerbated by the World Cup final that Spain is playing on Sunday at 21:00 hours.
A Key Weekend Without the Additional Lane
This weekend, the AP-4 will remain without the additional lane, despite the high demand expected. The Government Subdelegation in Sevilla has urged citizens to plan their return home, as the coincidence with the World Cup final could concentrate travel between 16:00 and 19:00 hours, as occurred during the Euro 2024 final. Francisco Toscano, the government subdelegate, has urged respect for traffic regulations: "What matters is that we can enjoy a historic match." The technicians from the DGT believe that excessive traffic volume is also harmful, which is why they have opted not to activate the extra lane this weekend.
A Chronic Problem That Demands Structural Solutions
The capacity problem of the AP-4 is not new. Since the removal of the toll, the motorway has seen a notable increase in traffic, especially during holiday periods. Arturo Coloma, Secretary General of the Circle of Andalusian Companies in Construction, Consultancy and Public Works (Ceacop), warned in May that the priority is the lack of capacity, rather than the deterioration of the surface. "What the Sevilla resident will notice most when travelling to the beaches will not be the potholes, because if they are stuck in a continuous jam from Sevilla to Cádiz, they won't notice the deterioration of the traffic," he pointed out. Coloma also called for the duplication of the National IV, a slower alternative that some drivers use to avoid the jams on the AP-4.
The measure of the temporary third lane is, according to the authorities, "palliative." Last summer it was applied in August, but this year there is still no date. Government sources have assured that they will notify when the decision is made, while Sevilla residents continue to suffer the consequences of an infrastructure that cannot cope. The lack of structural investments in the AP-4 and the road network of the province is a recurring complaint among users, who see how every weekend becomes an odyssey to reach the beaches of Cádiz or Huelva.
Reactions and Future Perspectives
Users of the AP-4 express their frustration. A regular driver on the Sevilla-Rota route describes the situation as "a disaster" and complains that "there is no way to get to the beaches of many municipalities because public transport services by train and bus are insufficient." The combination of traffic jams and lack of public transport alternatives makes travel an exhausting experience. Meanwhile, the investment plan for the AP-4 is still in process, with no specific timelines for a definitive solution.
Looking to the future, the DGT and the Ministry of Transport are working on a capacity study for the motorway, but while long-term solutions are being developed, Sevilla residents will have to settle for the temporary third lane. However, they do not know when it will be operational. The recommendation for this weekend is clear: check traffic conditions before leaving and, if possible, avoid peak hours. Or, as some joke, arm yourself with patience and remember that, in the end, it is worth reaching the beach.
You may also like
