The Ministry of Transport gives the green light to the technical document and the environmental impact study to add an extra lane in each direction over 34.4 kilometres of the motorway. The investment exceeds €246 million.
The project for the third lane of the AP-4 between Dos Hermanas and Las Cabezas de San Juan has passed a key hurdle. The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has provisionally approved the technical document and the environmental impact study, paving the way for a project aimed at alleviating congestion on one of the busiest roadways in the province of Seville.
The initiative, with an estimated investment of €246.8 million (including VAT), involves the construction of an additional lane in each direction along 34.4 kilometres. The affected stretch runs from the connection with the A-4 in Dos Hermanas to the vicinity of the Las Cabezas de San Juan interchange with the A-471 road.
Increased capacity following toll removal
The removal of the toll in January 2020 led to a surge in traffic on the AP-4. Since then, the motorway has seen a steady increase in vehicles, making an expansion necessary. With the third lane, it is expected to increase capacity and improve traffic flow, especially during peak hours and holiday periods.
The project is not limited to simply painting another line on the asphalt. It includes the redesign of the Las Cabezas interchange and improvements to the connections between the AP-4 and the A-4. Notably, it features the construction of a flyover on the access ramp from Dos Hermanas towards Cádiz, as well as modifications to the interchange towards Seville to facilitate traffic.
New interchanges and collector roads
The plan also includes new collector-distributor roads to organise access to the service areas of Los Palacios and El Fantasma. Several flyovers at kilometres 15.96 and 17.64 will be adapted to increase the clearance, and work will be done on the Los Palacios and Villafranca interchange.
One of the most notable new features is the creation of a new intermediate interchange between Los Palacios and Las Cabezas. This will require the demolition of the current flyover located at kilometre 32.6 and the construction of a new one in its vicinity. Additionally, a roundabout will be established to connect with the A-471R road.
Next steps: public information
Following provisional approval, the file will undergo a public information process through its publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE). This step will allow citizens and entities to submit objections before the final approval. It is expected that the works can be tendered in the coming months, although there is currently no specific start date.
The expansion of the AP-4 is part of a broader investment package. Construction of a third lane on a seven-kilometre stretch between the SE-40/A-4 interchange and the start of the AP-4 in Dos Hermanas is already underway, with a budget of €30 million.
For drivers in the Bajo Guadalquivir and Aljarafe regions, this project will provide relief from the usual traffic jams, especially when accessing Seville. The connection with the SE-40 will also improve, facilitating travel towards the west of the province. While waiting for the third lane, it is time to be patient and stay alert to the BOE.
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