The Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, has once again voiced strong criticism against the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility over repeated delays in widening the N-332 bypass as it passes through the municipality. Speaking in mid-August, when summer tourist traffic severely worsens daily congestion on the route, Dolón condemned the central government for failing to fulfil its commitments to put the project out to tender.
The infrastructure upgrade was originally promised during the tenure of former minister José Luis Ábalos. More recently, the current Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, said in 2024 that the duplication works for the national road would be put out to tender during 2025. However, with no progress made, the mayor accused the minister of breaking his word and leaving Torrevieja to endure daily traffic jams without any revised dates, deadlines, or official explanations.
According to data provided by Torrevieja City Council, the N-332 accommodates more than 60,000 vehicles daily, a figure that increases significantly during peak holiday periods. The high volume leads to constant congestion, extended travel times, and severe difficulties for drivers entering and leaving the town. Dolón described it as “third-world” that a municipality with the population, economic importance, and tourist volume of Torrevieja remains dependent on an overcrowded road without the capacity expansion even being put out to tender. He added that it is “absolutely shameful” that the central government has still not launched the bidding process after years of promises.
The mayor revealed that the local council has requested a meeting with Minister Óscar Puente or relevant general directors on more than one hundred occasions. Despite these repeated requests, the council has received only formal administrative acknowledgements from the minister’s office, with no official willing to address the status of the project directly. Dolón called this lack of dialogue a complete disregard for the residents and visitors of Torrevieja, directly holding Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Minister Óscar Puente responsible for blocking the scheme.
Describing himself as “fed up” with broken promises, lies, and institutional neglect, Dolón stressed that the road widening project is of urgent and vital importance for local mobility and safety. He affirmed that Torrevieja City Council will maintain its demands without accepting further excuses or silence until the Ministry of Transport finally tenders and executes the long-awaited works.
Dolón seems to have a very short memory because it was his party, the PP, that failed to submit plans at the time of the widening between Mil Palmaras and Guardamar del Seguara. Moreover, previous national Governments also of the PP failed to take any action to remedy the situation.
