In Vega Baja, the dominant issue circles back to one simple goal: stronger infrastructure. The two leading municipalities, Torrevieja and Orihuela, are steered by mayors Eduardo Dolón and Pepe Vegara, respectively. Their forum in Vega Baja, moderated by Fernando Ramón, centered on understanding local needs and how those needs ripple across the entire region. The discussion framed the challenges facing Vega Baja as a whole. Orihuela, with its rich heritage, has untapped potential that has not always been fully leveraged, while Torrevieja is undergoing a noticeable transformation, with new port developments set to reshape the landscape next year. These municipalities, strong players in regional real estate, reminded attendees that Vega Baja ranks as the fifth most populous area within the Valencian Community. What they demanded yesterday, they also pressed for on behalf of the other twenty-five sister municipalities.
Primarily, improvements on CV-91 (Guardamar to Orihuela), CV-95 (Torrevieja to Orihuela), and national highway 332 (Pilar de la Horadada to Guardamar), which traces the coastline, were highlighted as essential upgrades with wide implications for nearby towns. Road connections were not the sole focus; discussions about a high-speed rail link and coastal development were noted, with attention cast toward medium-term timelines. The conversation underscored a clear priority: sustain the existing growth model while continuing the work already underway.
Present and future
The Orihuela mayor opened with a look at current realities and future plans, yet harsh critiques punctured many pending projects since the DANA disaster, which hurt Vega Baja deeply. Responding to that crisis, Vegara emphasized the need to boost transportation infrastructure and competitiveness to foster jobs. He also reminded attendees that Vega Baja requires substantial investment, much of which has been delayed despite sustained demand.
Efforts to connect Orihuela with the wider region include contemplating an airport as a first step toward Madrid and Europe, with a belief that traffic routes crossing Vega Baja should be doubled. The criticisms extended to the Crevillent-Cartagena toll road as a burden on tourism, and the long-promised water infrastructure upgrades, postponed for four years, were used to illustrate the need for reliable rainfall management instead of waiting for ideal conditions. The underlying message was a call for continuous progress rather than waiting for perfect conditions.
Axles
Orihuela aims to anchor its future on multiple strategic axes, balancing tourism with agriculture and restoration of the city center, while branding the region as Europe’s garden. The council member pushed hard for addressing CV-95, the primary route linking Orihuela to its beaches, arguing for a definitive resolution to restore a roughly forty-minute journey. Acknowledging local business interests, the speaker welcomed recent hospital expansions as a sign of regional resilience.
Dolón presented Torrevieja with concrete figures about population trends, noting that the city had recently surpassed a peak population of 550,000. He highlighted ongoing challenges, such as delays in completing the Acuamed desalination project on Los Locos beach and the need for modernized educational facilities and a substantial public-private partnership for waterfront development. He projected that the spring of 2024 would usher in the final stages of a broader port and urban renewal plan by year-end.
Videos
During the presentations, Orihuela and Torrevieja showcased visuals of their cities, highlighting heritage, tourism, and the ongoing systems that support residents. Both sides stressed quality, efficiency, and mobility as the core values guiding public services. Dolón flagged a new waste management contract, noting that aging equipment in a busy tourist city hampered service quality. Torrevieja’s extensive cultural and entertainment offerings target a diverse audience, including many international residents and visitors who contribute to year-round activity and stability. Improvements to urban transport and natural areas were also underscored.
Salt Museum
There was also discussion about regional cultural initiatives, including commitments to disability policies and critical reflections on prior government decisions that affected local health services. The sentiment suggested a shift toward higher-quality care as the new administration took the helm, signaling a recalibration of priorities for Vega Baja’s future.