The government has renewed operating contracts for nine toll highways that were bankrupt after the 2008 financial crisis and were rescued by the State in 2017. The contracts provide public administration for the next decade and mature in December 2032.
The decision, taken after 2021 despite the pandemic, has allowed these highways to post a net profit of 1.2 million euros, reversing a loss of more than 6 million euros the previous year and even surpassing pre-crisis turnover. The path to profitability reflects a combination of restored demand, efficiency measures, and continued public support.
Since 2018, these toll roads — including radial 2, 3, 4 and 5, M-12, AP-41, AP-36, and AP-7 Circunvalación de Alicante and Cartagena-Vera — have been managed by Seitt, a publicly traded company. For the next ten years, the responsibility remains with Seitt as the current agreements expire on December 31. This extension ensures continuity in planning and governance for the network’s ongoing operations.
The extended mandate will enable the completion of pending investments and the optimization of organizational and management structures. It also supports strategic planning for road maintenance and protection actions, including enhanced signage, better environmental integration, improved road safety, access management, and the use of road protection zones to reduce risk and improve reliability for users.
Reforms will encompass digitalization and sustainability initiatives aimed at modernizing the network, renovating infrastructure, and adapting tunnels and lighting. Capacity upgrades, the construction of necessary connections, branch lines, or intersections, and the integration of new technologies are all part of the forward-looking plan to boost efficiency and resilience.
Traffic revenue collection from tolls and oversight by the Ministry of Transport will be aligned with a multi-year target. From 2023 to 2025, the plan contemplates a ceiling of up to 128 million euros to accelerate implementation and close anticipated funding gaps during this period. The government will maintain a firm grip on fiscal discipline while ensuring that the network continues to meet mobility needs across the region.
In a related decision, the government announced a freeze on toll fares for 2023 after a period of unchanged rates since 2018. In addition, environmental bonuses related to sustainable practices will be retained as part of the policy framework, reinforcing the emphasis on greener transport and responsible stewardship of the toll network.
Service Areas
Separately, Seitt has awarded two new concession contracts covering six service areas. One is on the M-50 corridor at Atalaya, and the others are distributed along the salvaged highways: La Sagra on AP-41, Mazarrón and Meco on AP-7, with Tambora stations at R-2, R-3, and Polvoranca at R-5. The announced tender, valued at 44.4 million euros with a five-year concession period, includes action plans focused on sustainability such as solar panel installations and the addition of charging points for electric vehicles.