Madrid fills with works in August: this is how its neighbourhoods are changing

The burying of the A-5 underground is one of the most complex interventions. Until 24 August, the outbound M-30 tunnel beneath avenida de Portugal remains closed while the connection to the new underground route is completed. The works include demolishing an old slab and installing 14 large beams. The A-5 tunnel is still scheduled to open to traffic at the end of 2026, before the future Paseo Verde del Suroeste begins to be developed.

In Ventas, the deck built over the M-30 is beginning to prepare the ground for a new park of more than 16,000 square metres that will link Salamanca and Ciudad Lineal. To the north, Parque Castellana is progressing alongside the Cinco Torres with another major undergrounding project and a future green space of more than 70,000 square metres, with a cycle lane, children’s play areas and a large photovoltaic pergola.

The centre is not escaping the works either. The remodelling of calle Alcalá between Cibeles and plaza de la Independencia is creating a new central promenade and will restore the double row of trees that disappeared decades ago. The part directly affecting the Puerta de Alcalá is expected to be finished in November, while the overall project will continue until the first quarter of 2027.

Vallecas is undergoing another transformation. The bridge over the M-30 is being refurbished with new noise barriers, waterproofing and renewed surfacing. Vallecas Abierto will follow, a project that will also work beneath the infrastructure to improve pedestrian connections between Puente de Vallecas and Retiro, introduce vegetation and reduce the barrier effect currently created by this point.

There are also works underground. At Conde de Casal, construction of the new interchange and work linked to the extension of line 11 continue, while the future route linking Plaza Elíptica with this area via Comillas, Madrid Río, Palos de la Frontera and Atocha progresses. The interventions affect surface traffic for months and form part of one of the largest Metro extensions currently under way.

Atocha accounts for a large share of August’s rail alterations. Adif is changing the track layout to increase the capacity of the Sol tunnel by 33% and improve train management. Several Cercanías lines remain affected until 16 August and, at the end of the month, there will be further temporary closures between Atocha and Nuevos Ministerios.

The major infrastructure projects are joined by more everyday works. Oporto and Jacinto Benavente are undergoing full renovation, Carabanchel continues renewing spaces in its historic centre, and the Operación Asfalto this year reaches more than 200 streets. Madrid is using August to accelerate work that in many cases will continue during 2027 and 2028: the immediate cost is diversions, noise and longer journeys; the expected result will be a city with more pedestrian connections, new green areas and a higher-capacity transport network.