ARCHIVED - N-332 Benissa bypass opens following 38 million euro investment

The long-awaited bypass in the Marina Alta region of Alicante province, has been on the cards for 15 years

Finally, after being put on hold 15 years ago, the long-awaited N-332 Benissa bypass has opened following an injection of 38 million euros.

"The bypass will improve capacity, safety and travel time on the N-332, as well as connections with the AP-7 motorway and the rest of the surrounding roads," assured the Ministry's Director General for Roads, adding that it will alleviate traffic flow through the town centre "which caused congestion, road safety problems and pollution".

The ring road begins at kilometre 175 of the N-332 and goes around the town to the north to rejoin the old N-332. The section of conventional road has one lane in each direction with a hard shoulder and allows access to various rural areas via new roundabouts.

During its construction, a viaduct has been built, together with three overpasses, three subways, and the replacement of power lines and water conduits.

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"Today is a historic day for the region of La Marina Alta and specifically for Benissa, which can now become a friendlier and more welcoming town," said the Government Delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé.

"Thanks to this investment by Mitma, the centre of Benissa will no longer be crossed daily by some 12,000 vehicles.," she added.

And according to town councillor Rebeca Torró, the bypass will provide "more safety, more quality of life and more growth".

"The Benissa N-332 bypass relieves traffic congestion and solves a historic demand of the Marina Alta," she said.

Construction of the bypass was scheduled to start in 2006 but the company awarded the contract went bankrupt and the project was put on hold for years.

In 2017, the 21.8 million euro contract was given to Obrascón-Huarte Laín S.A. (OHL), and "the most progress has been made in the last 12 months".

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Image: Mitma