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Closures and diversions on the M-50, A-4, A-5 and A-6 this summer
Getting around Madrid by car this summer will require a little more planning. The Directorate-General for Traffic has announced closures, diversions and night works on several of the region's main roads, with particular impact on the M-50, A-4, A-5 and A-6.
Works will be concentrated during July and August, months when daily traffic intensity usually falls, although outward, return and weekend journeys increase. The intention is to use that margin to carry out surfacing, maintenance, waterproofing and road-safety improvement works.
The M-50 will be the road most affected. Between kilometres 17 and 45.9, work will take place in different phases requiring the closure of entire carriageways and the diversion of traffic along alternative routes. For those who use this ring road daily, the calendar will be key.
On the right-hand carriageway of the M-50, there will be closures from 6 to 17 July and from 20 to 24 July. The works will then move to the left-hand carriageway, with effects from 27 to 31 July and from 3 to 14 August.
In addition, between the M-45 and the A-2, daily night-time closures are planned from 17 to 28 August. This work will take place between 21:00 and 6:00, a time slot designed to reduce the impact, although it may affect people travelling at night, working shifts or returning home late.
The Eje Culebro will also have works for much of the summer. On this section of the M-50, waterproofing and surfacing work will first affect the right-hand carriageway, from 6 to 31 July, and then the left-hand one, from 3 to 28 August, with signposted diversions as each phase progresses.
The effects will not be limited to the M-50. On the A-4, the section between the M-40 and M-30 in the outbound direction will be closed over the weekend of 10 to 12 July. Diversions will be via the M-45 and M-40, so it is advisable to check the route before heading south.
The A-5 will also see closures and lane restrictions. Between kilometres 13.9 and 14.2 there will be effects from 6 to 7 July, while between kilometres 24.3 and 23.5 the work will run from 13 July to 26 August. This motorway will be one of the sensitive points for those travelling between Madrid, Alcorcón, Móstoles y Navalcarnero.
On the A-6, works will be concentrated at night around Calle 30. Between 6 July and 18 August, the road surface on the central trunk road will be renewed, with night-time closures that may alter the usual inbound and outbound journeys in the north-west.
The DGT recommends checking traffic conditions before starting any journey. Variable-message panels, telephone number 011 and official channels on X will provide information on closures, congestion and alternative routes.
For drivers, the key will be not to take the usual route for granted. A closed junction, an occupied lane or a temporary diversion can lengthen the journey, especially on outbound-operation days, Friday afternoons or return Sundays.
The works come at a time when many families take the opportunity to travel, visit second homes or move around the region more frequently. Although they are scheduled in summer to reduce inconvenience, the impact will be felt on access roads, ring roads and travel between municipalities.
The M-50 in particular has become a basic part of metropolitan mobility. It connects residential areas, industrial estates, shopping centres and major motorways without passing through the centre of Madrid. That is why any closure on this road is felt beyond the exact section affected.
The aim of the work is to improve the road surface, extend the useful life of the roads and reinforce safety. Before those benefits arrive, people will have to live with cones, diversions and more uncertain journey times.
Madrid does not stop in summer, but its map changes. During July and August, driving on its major roads will require patience, up-to-date information and some flexibility to choose another route when the asphalt is under repair.