There was a time, not so long ago, when driving through San Pedro Alcántara was not as easy as all that. In fact, traffic regularly backed up as it tried to cross the charming little town that had become somewhat of a bottle-neck. A solution was needed both for the benefit of San Pedro itself and that of the Costa del Sol in general, but there wasn’t enough space available to expand the A7, so the only way to go was down.
The tunnel sets the tone
Works on the two-kilometre long underpass began in 2007. The financial crisis slowed down delivery, but in 2012 it was completed, at a total cost of €85 million. Instead of getting stuck at the southern entrance to the town, traffic passing west-east from Estepona and Benahavis to Puerto Banús and Marbella now flows much more fluently, passing through a tunnel in a clean, tidy and convenient way.
There was a negative effect on local businesses during construction, and as one might expect works added to traffic congestion, but once completed cars flowed freely and the town began to flower again. Quite apart from solving the former choking point, the San Pedro tunnel has also played a key role in the revitalisation of the area, in large part thanks to the almost 60,000 square metres of leisure space created where once cars stood bumper to bumper.
…and creates a leisure zone
Situated directly above the tunnel and in line with the town, the former waste ground area enclosed within what is now a relatively peaceful residential one-way road has been transformed into a tastefully designed pedestrian boulevard complete with gardens, water features, sitting areas, playgrounds for children, a small auditorium and a series of cool dining/chilling venues connected by an architecturally stylish modern walking bridge that crosses the large roundabout in its midst.
It’s now a popular spot for children, grown-ups, moms and dads, grandparents and those who visit the events regularly hosted here. The ‘Bulevar’ has drawn life to this part of San Pedro and invigorated the entire area along its own axis and between the town proper and the avenue that runs down to the beachside promenade – making this a great place full of new restaurants, bars, cafés and shops just made for relaxing and socialising.