positive balance
The ministry’s assessment is that the first year on the AP-7 and AP-2 toll-free period has yielded a favorable balance. Officials note a shift in how people travel, driven by the convenience, safety, and comfort of using the highway network. When the routes offer real advantages, drivers choose them, and traffic patterns reflect that preference. In several segments, traffic has more than doubled, illustrating the impact of toll-free access on traveler behavior.
In this context, the government is planning to invest roughly EUR 1,050 million to improve connectivity, overall functionality, and traffic flow across the road system. The administration remains open to evaluating proposals from industry partners and other stakeholders. Catalan Transit has even proposed lowering the maximum speed on specific stretches of the AP-7 to enhance safety and efficiency while maintaining mobility for users.
Officials emphasize that road authorities have been proactive since tolls were removed, focusing on durability and resilience of key corridors like the AP-7 and AP-2. Efforts have included ongoing maintenance investments aimed at sustaining road quality and reliability for all users. Preliminary estimates show substantial savings for drivers since the toll suspension began, underscoring how free access translates into reduced travel costs for regular users.
As the government continues its work, the central task remains identifying a stable, pay‑as‑you‑go model that would fund major improvements while preserving the broad accessibility that motorists rely on. The discussion covers potential schemes such as a vignette, which resembles a flat-rate annual pass, or a usage‑based system tied to kilometers traveled. The debate also considers which routes would fall under any new plan and how the regional network would be integrated. A political decision is expected on the financing framework that will be pursued, guiding the next steps in the reform process.
Sources within the ministry expressed a sense of cautious progress, even as broader macroeconomic pressures and inflation influence the timing of any concrete actions. The overarching aim is to study options in a technical, transparent manner and share the analysis as soon as possible. The intent is not to rush legislation but to arrive at a decision that can be reviewed and refined in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The working assumption is that a detailed report outlining all feasible models and a deployment timetable will be ready for consideration by lawmakers after the 2023 elections, with a clearer path anticipated for the following year. The plan is to equip the responsible project lead with comprehensive analyses and recommendations so that discussions can move forward with confidence and clarity.
Ultimately, the core challenge is balancing funding needs with user convenience and regional considerations. The highway network, especially the AP-7 and AP-2, remains a critical backbone for commerce and daily travel. The government seeks a model that aligns with mobility goals, preserves affordability, and ensures long-term sustainability for Spain’s road infrastructure. The focus stays on delivering tangible benefits to drivers while maintaining fiscal discipline and accountability in the way tolls, or their equivalents, are applied in the future.