Rocafort Tunnel Excavation Begins in Andorra to Bypass Sant Julià de Lòria

Excavation continues on the 233-metre Rocafort tunnel in Sant Julià de Lòria, part of the parish bypass designed to reroute up to 25,000 vehicles daily away from the town centre and Avenguda Francesc Cairat on the Spain-Andorra border path.

Work started Tuesday at the southern portal in a ceremony attended by Head of Government Xavier Espot, Territory and Urban Planning Minister Raül Ferré, cònsol menor Sofia Cortesao, and conseller of Circulation and Parking Cristian Mayoralas. The tunnel boring machine, positioned since Monday, employs jumbo equipment with extendable arms to advance through rock, followed by controlled blasts every 20-30 metres, debris removal, and structural supports. Initial site preparations, costing €1.9 million, included slope stabilisations, umbrella arch reinforcements, excavation face setup, Rocafort torrent diversion, and false tunnel bases.

The €24-26 million initiative, launched in mid-October 2024, features 100-metre access roads at both ends and three lanes—two southbound and one northbound, possibly reversible—mirroring the nearby Tàpia tunnel. It aims for a 41% drop in CO₂ emissions, enhanced safety, and better living conditions for residents, students, and workers, with completion targeted for summer 2027 despite earlier delays from mid-2024 to mid-March, without budget increases.

A second jumbo machine will start from the northern portal in June, using daytime blasts mostly between 8am and 8pm, extending to 10pm at the southern end only in April and May. Ferré called it a transformative project that fits seamlessly into the landscape, with dual drilling compensating for setbacks and reducing night operations. Espot described it as delivering on an electoral commitment to address chronic traffic issues and enable smoother flows. Cònsol major Cerni Cairat noted it fulfils long-held demands from predecessors Montserrat Gil, Josep Vila, and Josep Majoral, resolving early-2000s divisions among the commune, government, and public over this vital border link. He outlined plans for staged urban and mobility upgrades this term to drive social and economic gains ahead of the bypass opening.

This marks the end of phases 1 and 2, following phases 3 and 4: the €37.5 million Tàpia tunnel, constructed during Josep Pintat Forné's second term (2008-2011) and opened in December 2012.

Related efforts advance elsewhere. On the Massana-Ordino diversion, bridge formwork nears completion for worker and lorry access, alongside new roads, roundabouts near Hotel Giberga, earthmoving, and connections. For the Massana Serra de l'Honor roundabout (ES-40) on the CG-3, Ferré has responded in detail to questions from social-democrat councillor Laia Moliné, who raised concerns over its placement in a steep area and potential to favour nearby land development.

Ferré affirmed the location follows national mobility, urban planning, and road criteria, with no intent to enable construction projects, as the single affected private plot was already classified as consolidated urban land before inclusion in the sectoral plan for new road infrastructure. The design addresses a longstanding problematic bend prone to speeding and poor traction, capping the maximum gradient at 3.6%—below the existing 8.2% on approach and exit, and with entry from Massana at 3.18% and post-roundabout at 3.3%—for safer heavy vehicle manoeuvres, turns, and winter access, in line with national engineering standards and recommendations. He emphasised that the site is not steeply sloped and that engineering adapted the layout to smooth the terrain without exceeding a 12% gradient, particularly for winter viability. Standard snow clearance measures will apply across the road network, with no additional winter steps deemed necessary.

Access to any future buildings on adjacent land must be set back at least 10 metres from the roundabout ends, and the project will affect local parking and entries; the Massana commune has notified residents, emphasising public interest. Full procedures complied with the General Territorial and Urban Planning Law, with transparency throughout, including publication in the BOPA and modifications to the sectoral plan and POUP to integrate the roundabout. Ferré denied any conflicts of interest and noted the Massana commune's input in recommendations. The government will monitor the Lisbon bridge-to-Serra de l'Honor stretch from late 2026, ahead of sections 3 and 5.3 entering service, and may make targeted safety optimisations. Tram 1 and the Serra de l'Honor tunnel lack dates or budgets, prompting the roundabout to avert chaos at the junction.

Separately, Secretary of State for Mobility and Energy Transition David Forné confirmed repaving and signage works on Carrer de la Unió in Andorra la Vella will begin 7 April, post-Easter, lasting about two weeks to add a central third lane from kilometre zero to Dama de Gel. Approved by the National Mobility Table and communes of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany, the changes require dismantling restaurant terraces, shifting a bus stop, waste collection point, loading zone, and FEDA electric charger. Studies forecast up to 20% congestion cuts, particularly easing turns to Carrer de na Maria Pla and Eo! shopping centre, with the central lane switching direction at that junction—two lanes each way from either end.

Restaurant owners affected by terrace removals welcomed the traffic relief for drawing more pedestrians and visibility but regretted the timing with spring's arrival, when outdoor seating peaks. They reported no formal work notices yet, despite prior informal warnings, and noted works could deter tourists seeing construction. No alternative terrace options were proposed, though one manager expressed interest in limited outdoor space like on Avinguda Carlemany and Meritxell. Forné stressed the terraces' removal will secure the third lane for major mobility gains.

Forné linked the project to broader successes, including the permanent CG-1 reversible lane between Andorra la Vella and Sant Julià—now beyond trials with fixed signage—and turbo-roundabouts, which deliver strong results with minimal disruption.