Without putting specific deadlines on the table and yes, some annual datesyes, but with the will and commitment of expedite the execution of infrastructure works and tenders in Aragon and, especially, in the province of Huesca, in addition to continue working on communications and roadssome of them historical claims in this autonomy.
This is how the meeting between the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, and the President of the Aragonese Government, Jorge Azcón, in the Huesca town of Canfranc concluded.
Among the main agreements, those reached in relation to roads in Huesca stand out. Specifically, The ministry will put out to tender the A-21 before the end of this year Jaca-Pamplona, between Puente la Reina and Fago, a section that was pending, in addition to proceeding to the tender for the works of the Jaca bypass at the beginning of 2025Puente announces. “It is not a great work, but they have complex terrain,” clarifies the minister, who has stressed the importance of having budgets to boost infrastructure.
This connection is important since it connects with the A-23, between Huesca and Jaca, and will allow traffic to be distributed in this area of Huesca, especially during the snowy season. “The A-21 has been delayed for many years. Finally, and after 20 years after the first stone was laid, the entirety will be passing through the Aragonese community,” says Jorge Azcón.
The ministry will also work on the A-23in the Lanave-Sabiñánigo section. The works will begin in 2024, but it will be about speed up deadlines so that they are completed as soon as possible to avoid the bottleneck that occurs during the ski season and that affects the snow sector.
At the meeting, other infrastructures and problems that are being detected in Aragon as a result of the construction of other roads were also put on the table. It is the case of the Zaragoza Maritime Terminal (TMZ), which is being affected by the works on the Mediterranean corridornear Roda de Bará, reducing freight traffic by 75%. To address this issue, there will be a meeting next week in which companies and TMZ representatives will meet with the ministry to alleviate the problem and look for alternatives.
One of the highlights of this meeting has been the willingness of both, the Ministry of Transport and the Government of Aragon, to resume the dialogue between both in terms of infrastructure, complying with additional provision VI of the Statute of Autonomy of Aragon, which includes a permanent working group in this field. “We comply with the statute,” adds Puente. It has been agreed that negotiations between the ministry and this group will resume on December 8 to address the needs of the Aragonese community.
Furthermore, the meeting focused on Cantabrian-Mediterranean Corridoran “important” connection for Spain and Aragon because, if the deadlines are met, it would imply the connection with Zaragoza and would favor the economic development of the city, Teruel and the Aragonese community in general.
Other issues put on the table and on which work will continue are the Central Pyrenean Crossing on which Puente has stressed that “it makes perfect sense. It is easy because the section of France is a small connection through Pau and it would be a good opportunity for the south of France, Spain and Aragon. We want to work with the Government of France in this connection.”
Joint work will continue on the matter of A-25 Monreal del Campo-Alcolea del Pinar, the A-40 Teruel-Cuenca and the southern variant of Huesca and the N-260. The latter communications will be addressed within the working group in order to comply with Aragon’s historical demands.
Meeting with Aquitaine
After the meeting between the Ministry of Transport and the Government of Aragon, a meeting has begun with the president of New Aquitaine, Alain Rousset, in order to address the reopening of the Zaragoza-Canfranc-Pau international railway lineinterrupted 55 years ago and postponed by France until 2032.
Special mention is the reopening of the RN-134which was affected by the damage last September, having to cut off heavy vehicle traffic through the Somport tunnel. In this case, France set the deadline for next spring.
“We have already contacted the French transport minister and the embassy. There is a good disposition, but it cannot be forgotten or neglected,” says Puente.
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