Andorra Defends Serra de l'Honor Roundabout as Public Interest, Not Private Development
Government officials reject opposition claims, stressing the project's compliance with technical standards, improved road safety on a hazardous bend, and adherence to urban planning laws without enabling nearby land parcelling.
Key Points
- Roundabout addresses hazardous bend with safer gradients (max 3.6% vs prior 8.2%) and winter-ready design.
- No enablement of land parcelling; affected plot pre-classified as urban.
- Complies with General Territory Law; transparent process with public notifications.
- Part of La Massana-Ordino bypass; sections 3 and 5.3 completion by late 2026.
**Andorra's government defends Serra de l'Honor roundabout as serving public interest, not private development**
The Andorran government has rejected claims that a new roundabout under construction at Serra de l'Honor in La Massana aims to enable nearby property development. Minister of Territory and Urbanism Raül Ferré stated the project follows technical, mobility, and road-planning standards, addressing concerns raised by Social Democrat councillor Laia Moliné.
Ferré emphasised that the roundabout, known technically as ES-40 and part of the La Massana bypass scheme on the CG-3, does not improve or enable any land parcelling. The sole private plot affected was already classified as consolidated urban land before inclusion in the sectoral plan for new road infrastructure. Future building access from adjacent areas must be set at least 10 metres beyond the roundabout's ends, which officials say enhances safety compared to the previous layout.
Responding to doubts about the site's steep gradient, Ferré clarified it is not excessively sloped. The maximum incline within the roundabout reaches 3.6%, lower than the existing 8.2% on approach and exit roads. Engineers lowered the CG-3 level to keep gradients below 12%, vital for winter conditions, while following national standards and best practices for heavy vehicles. Standard snow-clearing and salting measures will apply, with no extra provisions needed.
The location also tackles a long-standing hazardous bend prone to speeding and poor grip, based on input from La Massana commune. Procedures complied fully with the General Territory and Urban Planning Law, including Bulletin Oficial publication, with both government and commune acting transparently ahead of time. Residents have been informed of impacts, such as lost parking spaces, prioritising overall public benefit.
Work forms part of the La Massana-Ordino bypass, with sections 3 and 5.3 due by late 2026. Officials will then assess the Lisbon bridge-to-roundabout stretch and consider minor tweaks for optimal safe capacity. Sections 1 and the Serra de l'Honor tunnel lack dates or budgets.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources:
- Diari d'Andorra•
Govern defensa la rotonda de la Serra de l’Honor
- Bon Dia•
El Govern nega que la rotonda de la Serra de l’Honor faciliti el desenvolupament urbanístic de la zona
- El Periòdic•
L’ens governamental defensa que la rotonda de la Serra de l’Honor respon a criteris “d’interès nacional i mobilitat”
- Diari d'Andorra•
Govern defensa la rotonda de la Serra de l'Honor "per criteris tècnics i de seguretat"
- Altaveu•
Govern assegura que la rotonda de la Serra de l'Honor respon només a "l'interès general"