San Pedro tunnel to open in June

Almost there... the San Pedro underpass nears completion. © Jorge Morales

Described by Marbella mayor Ángeles Muñoz as being of “major importance” to the future of the town, the long-awaited opening of the San Pedro de Alcántara underpass – on the N340/A7 coast road – is scheduled to take place in June 2012, just in time for the busy summer season.

Costing nearly €90 million, three times the original estimate, work on the 1km tunnel began in 2007 and further plans also include the development of a mostly pedestrianised 90,000 square metre area above ground.

Although the date of the official opening hasn’t been confirmed yet, since development minister Ana Pastor and other bigwigs will be in Málaga on 26 June for the inauguration of the airport’s 2^nd runway, it seems likely that both events could take place on the same day – a double celebration for the Costa del Sol!