Aiming to bridge the investment gap and accelerate the execution of pending transport projects, a report prepared by the Alicante State Institute of Economic Research (Ineca) in collaboration with the Chamber and the Valencian Community Business Confederation (CEV) outlines eleven road, rail, and port initiatives valued at 2,050 million euros. These projects are framed as essential to the region’s growth and competitiveness, with a goal to reach agreement and begin actions no later than 2030.
The report was unveiled at a ceremony hosted by the Institución Ferial Alicantina (IFA) on Thursday. Around thirty representatives from business and industry associations, along with public bodies such as the municipalities of Alicante, Elche, and Elda, and the House of Representatives, attended. Armando Ortuño, director of Ineca Projects and coordinator of the study, explained that this document updates prior work done in 2018 for the Chamber and CEV, noting slow progress since then.
In the road sector, key initiatives include: a third lane on the A-70 between Alicante and Elche at 255 million euros to prevent bottlenecks; upgrading the A-31 between Villena and Alicante for 154 million to lower accident rates; a third lane on the A-7 from Crevillent to Murcia at 120 million to improve traffic flow; the underpass at the Alicante University roundabout, connecting with the Science Park, at 19 million; and the expansion of N-332 through Torrevieja at 40 million, a corridor stalled since 2016.
For rail infrastructure, the document highlights: launching the coastal rail line between Alicante and Benidorm for 630 million after the Generalitat assumes the Dénia-Gandia segment; upgrading the Alicante-Elche-Murcia axis for 505 million, including the airport link; connecting to the Port of Alicante and other Mediterranean land ports for 152 million; upgrading the Alcoy-Xàtiva line for 145 million; and the AVE Alicante-València project, a 24 million segment currently under construction. Additionally, there is a plan to expand pier number 19 at the Port of Alicante to boost sea freight, with the budget still to be finalized.
Worst budgets in Alicante history
Ortuño stressed that the plan envisions not only direct government funding but also possible public-private partnership options as a complementary way to mobilize the required investment.
Nacho Amirola, president of Ineca, reiterated that underinvestment in transport infrastructure in Alicante Province over the last decade and a half has created a backlog of about 4,000 million euros, compounding mobility challenges for both people and goods. He noted that the document proves a detailed, programmatic investment plan can deliver a noticeable impact, helping the province move out of neglect and invisibility.
Joaquín Pérez, head of CEV Alicante, argued that Alicante’s special circumstances demand tailored analysis and closer cooperation, including creating a monitoring commission for proposed projects to be presented to Secretary Isabel Pardo de Vera. Chamber president Carlos Baño closed by underscoring that cooperation has always driven success and is more necessary now than ever. He urged channeling national needs into state action to sustain growth, wealth, and employment.
430 million in extra costs due to limited port capacity
Provincial exporters relying on sea transport face approximately 430 million euros in annual costs caused by the Port of Alicante’s capacity constraints.
Baño highlighted that about 862,000 containers moved each year are forced to be processed by the Port of Valencia due to the bottlenecks at Port of Alicante. He asserted that these additional costs could be saved if Pier 19 at the Alicante port were fully operational, stressing the importance of advancing this port expansion.
Thus, this projection is among the priorities included in Ineca’s document, with the aim of asking the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda to implement it within the 2030 timeframe. At present, there is no specific budget allocated to this action, and the estimated investment to widen the pier is about 25 million, a figure far lower than the ongoing transportation costs faced by local firms.