Else Beekman
Málaga province, often compared to California for its climate and lifestyle, is heading down a troubling path when it comes to mobility. Vicente Jordá, a transport engineer, warns in the newspaper Málaga Hoy that Málaga is on the road to replicating California’s traffic issues, calling it an “example of failure” due to poor planning and insufficient infrastructure.
Everyone who lives or stays on the Costa del Sol knows it: at certain points along the coast, it’s always the same, and you end up stuck in traffic. The tunnel at San Pedro de Alcántara is a famous example, as is the exit from the A-7 towards Alhaurín, or the ramp to access the N-340 at La Cala de Mijas. Increasingly, traffic to the east of Málaga city is also affected. People trying to reach the city from that direction during rush hour see their travel time double.
Traffic bottlenecks becoming the norm
Málaga’s roads are struggling to cope with the growing number of vehicles. Traffic bottlenecks are becoming the norm at key entry and exit points to the city. Areas like Puerto Banús, Torremolinos, and Alhaurín de la Torre frequently face massive congestion, with traffic jams now a daily occurrence. The situation is expected to worsen as Málaga’s population is projected to surpass two million in the next 15 years. This is according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).
Jordá explains that Málaga’s infrastructure has not been scaled to meet current needs, let alone future demand and that’s a failure. Roads are overburdened, particularly at access points. There, even routes with multiple lanes, like those seen in California, are not enough to prevent gridlock. A notorious example is the Puerto Banús area. Striking is a real estate advertisement there, cheekily acknowledging the issue: “You’re stuck in traffic, but you’re still in paradise.”
Public transport and housing: A double crisis
The problem extends beyond just road congestion. Marbella, a hotspot for luxury living, faces a mobility crisis. This is exacerbated by the lack of public transport options like trains or trams. The reliance on cars is causing daily traffic jams and these affect both residents and tourists. This lack of infrastructure is also driving away skilled professionals. They are deterred by long commutes and the lack of affordable housing.
The Tecnitasa report highlights that Marbella’s transport limitations, combined with soaring housing costs, are making it increasingly difficult to attract qualified talent. Without affordable housing and better transport links, local businesses are struggling to retain employees who live further than 30 minutes away.
Solutions? Not in the short term
Short-term solutions, such as liberalising the toll road to ease traffic, are unlikely to work. Jordá argues that even if tolls were removed, access roads like those in San Pedro are incapable of handling the increased traffic flow. Instead, he advocates for long-term investments in high-capacity roads and public transport. Furthermore, inter-municipal connections should be improved.
Jordá stresses that the current mobility crisis stems from decades of poor planning. To prevent Málaga from continuing down California’s path, urgent investment in public transport and road infrastructure is essential. Without action, the city risks further economic and social decline as traffic gridlock worsens. Herewith, residents face increasing challenges in daily life.