Construction Begins on Safety Roundabout at N-260 Junction in Montferrer and Castellbò

Construction of a safety roundabout at the N-260 junction in Montferrer and Castellbò began on Tuesday with initial site preparation, including traffic diversions and signage setup expected to continue through the week.

The Spanish Ministry of Transport awarded the €729,630 contract last September to Pasquina, S.A. following pandemic-related pauses in public works and a failed 2022 tender amid rising material costs from the Ukraine war. Work at kilometre 230.7 will create a six-metre diameter roundabout with two circulation lanes and four pedestrian crossings. Officials project five to six months until completion, making the junction operational by autumn.

The location handles around 15,000 vehicles daily, many heading to Andorra, and links Montferrer and Castellbò, nearby settlements, and Andorra-La Seu airport. The upgrades address years of safety complaints from residents and the Rosa Campà school Parents' Association in Montferrer, particularly for young students crossing to early childhood and primary classes.

Spanish government subdelegate in Lleida, José Crespín, toured the site alongside political and technical representatives. He described it as the start of a "long-desired project" delayed by various hurdles, adding: "Today is the first day of a very much awaited initiative that unfortunately has been postponed. But let's focus on the final part, which is precisely the beginning—the start of the Montferrer roundabout works."

Montferrer and Castellbò mayor Albert Marquet welcomed the progress, noting benefits for both drivers and schoolchildren navigating the crossing.

Motorists on this vital route should prepare for disruptions, with mitigation measures in place. Separately, the ministry began pavement improvements on the N-260 from La Seu d'Urgell past Fontanals de Cerdanya in Girona province, plus a 500-metre section of the N-154 in Puigcerdà. These form part of a €10.5 million Catalan roads maintenance programme running until 17 April, involving single-lane closures and alternating traffic.