The new underground tunnel of the A-5 in Madrid will open to traffic on Wednesday, 23rd December, as announced by the mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida.
The Wednesday 23rd December 2026 is the scheduled opening date for the new underground tunnel of the A-5, according to madridinforma.es. The date was announced by the mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, on 28th October. Traffic underground will begin before the transformation of the surface is completed.
The opening will allow traffic through approximately three kilometres of tunnel, as part of a project spanning 3.2 kilometres between Avenida de Portugal and Padre Piquer. The underground will feature three lanes in each direction, divided into two independent galleries for vehicles entering and exiting the capital.
The excavation works were completed in May 2026 and the civil works finished at the end of August. Since then, teams have been working on cladding, lighting, ventilation, and finishing touches.
The connection with the M-30 is the most delicate part of the operation. In August, the demolition of a concrete slab and the installation of 14 beams of 30 metres were completed in the M-30 exit tunnel. According to the City Council, the final connection with the new tunnel will be executed in November, and traffic restrictions that will result from this have not yet been specified.
Until the opening, provisional changes remain in place. Since 23rd October, the two exit lanes at the height of Illescas Street run on both sides of the future tunnel entrance. Additionally, between 27th October and 9th November, there is a temporary diversion in Huerta de Castañeda, where the underpass has been closed.
The Southeast Green Walk will continue to be developed after the opening. The project aims to recover over 100,000 square metres, 33 pedestrian connections compared to the current 16, and a cycling route of about 3.5 kilometres. The corridor will connect Madrid Río, Casa de Campo, and the Cuña Verde de Latina.
The municipal objective is to reduce surface traffic by up to 90%, with around 80,000 vehicles expected to pass underground daily. The neighbourhoods of Lucero, Aluche, Las Águilas, Campamento, and Casa de Campo will be the main beneficiaries. Before travelling, it is advisable to consult the municipal mobility plan for the A-5 works, where road closures and alternative routes are updated.
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