The A-5 in Madrid, from motorway to street: speed cameras, traffic lights and a 50 km/h limit

The coexistence between motor vehicles and pedestrians is an increasingly serious problem in our cities, especially in the large urban centres.

The Spanish capital, Madrid, is a good example of this. Its increasingly congested streets have to cope with thousands of vehicles, and the authorities are working hard to pave the way for a new model of city in which cars are not the priority.

Madrid’s city government has presented a new action plan that focuses on a generous stretch of the A-5 motorway, the only European motorway that links two EU capitals. The aim is to improve the quality of life of residents who pass through this clearly congested area every day.

The city’s mobility department has therefore presented a plan to transform a 11-kilometre stretch, which will cease to be a motorway (although it is already limited to 70 km/h) and become a street. To do so, the authorities will use every kind of resource.

The most controversial measure will be the installation of a new point-to-point speed camera, which will monitor average speed over just over 1.5 kilometres. Pending the tender process, the camera is expected to start operating from September, although for the first two months it will only warn offending drivers.

In addition, traffic lights and zebra crossings will be installed so that pedestrians can enjoy easier and safer crossing. The speed limit will be lowered gradually, from 70 km/h to 60 km/h and then to 50 km/h, in order to reduce the likelihood of accidents, pollution and noise.

Furthermore, the construction of a new BUS lane is planned, which will replace the current public transport stops, located practically on the motorway and posing a significant safety risk for both drivers and passengers. Work will begin in the coming weeks.