Skip to main content

Spanish government to launch state-owned motorway operator?

The Spanish government may launch a state-owned motorway operator as part of a plan to solve the economic difficulties that nine operators are currently undergoing. As part of the plan, the operators' will see their debt to banks reduced from €3.6 billion. A further solution, which is also being considered by the government, is to dissolve financially challenged operators in an orderly fashion. At present, the operators and the government are in negotiation over a possible solution.
March 24, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
The Spanish government may launch a state-owned motorway operator as part of a plan to solve the economic difficulties that nine operators are currently undergoing. As part of the plan, the operators' will see their debt to banks reduced from €3.6 billion. A further solution, which is also being considered by the government, is to dissolve financially challenged operators in an orderly fashion. At present, the operators and the government are in negotiation over a possible solution.

The motorway toll operations said to be in financial difficulties include the radial roads in Madrid, the Madrid - Barajas airport motorway, the Madrid - Toledo motorway, La Ocana - La Roda motorway, Cartagena - Vera and Alicante's ring road.

During the first two months of 2014, traffic volumes on Spain's toll motorways decreased by 0.73% on the same period the previous year to 12,514 vehicles per day. This is the lowest volume in 17 years and 35.8% lower than the highest figure ever registered in 2007. Traffic figures for January 2014 went down by 1.6% on January a year before and by 12.7% the previous month. At the end of 2013, traffic figures at Spain's toll motorways had dropped by 33.6% on the highest ever figures from 2006 to 15,864 vehicles per day.

Related Content

  • New road links will cut congestion in St Petersburg
    June 20, 2016
    Road building will solve the problem of traffic jams in St Petersburg – Eugene Gerden writes The authorities in Russian city St Petersburg plan to solve the problem of traffic jams in the city during the next few years. The strategy is expected to be achieved through road building and the improvement of transport connections between different districts in the city. Implementation of these plans will take place as part of the decree 355 "Of the Strategy of St Petersburg Economic and Social Development
  • Innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable roads funding
    July 5, 2016
    Francesco Micci discusses innovation in funding methods All countries need an efficient and extended road transport system to sustain both the social development and the economic competitiveness. The latest trends show that the demand for road infrastructure is constantly growing, despite the negative impact of the financial and economic crisis on public and private financing. Global spending regarding road transport infrastructure actually accounts for roughly US$580 billion worldwide, and is projected
  • Pandemic impact on Wacker Neuson results
    November 6, 2020
    The pandemic is having an impact on Wacker Neuson’s results.
  • DEUTZ sees “encouraging” rise in net income for Q3
    November 14, 2016
    German engine manufacturer DEUTZ said it had a “very encouraging increase” in operating profit for the first three quarters of 2016. EBIT – earnings before interest and tax – stood at €19.7 million, significantly higher than the figure for the prior-year period of €10.6 million. DEUTZ said that this was due, in particular, to a decrease in depreciation and amortisation. Consequently, the EBIT margin almost doubled to reach 2.1%. Net income for the first nine months of 2016 was €18.8 million, compa