The CV-728 bypass through Ràfol d'Almúnia continues to be a topic of conversation. Last week, the Alicante Provincial Council stated in a press release that the "ambitious project, completed a few months ago" had significantly reduced vehicle traffic within the town's urban centre. This is true, the bypass has solved the major problem. However, far from considering the project finished, the residents of Ràfol live with the certainty that there are still things to do.
The Provincial Council's colossal project that has been driving the Rectorate crazy for 3 years
The works mentioned, which belong to the first phase of the project and have affected both the CV-728 and the CV-729, have included the execution of a variant, according to the Provincial Council, on the northeastern limit of the urban land of the municipality. In this way, "the current character of a crossing is eliminated and, consequently, the levels of noise and environmental pollution are reduced and the functionality, road safety and quality of life of the residents of the town are improved," says the statement from the Urban Planning area of the Provincial Council.
As regards the technical aspects, the Provincial Council highlights that the section of the CV-728 by-pass connects with the Segària road via a roundabout with an external diameter of 46 metres and continues to the intersection with the CV-729, which is also resolved with a roundabout with an external diameter of 55 metres.
In this regard, the Provincial Urban Planning Department has explained that "with this action we are putting an end to a historical problem that existed in the municipality, since, until now, all vehicles that circulated to or from Pego, including heavy vehicles, had to do so within the urban area." The Provincial Council has invested more than 1.500.000 million euros in the action, although it was initially planned at 1.098.983,06 euros.
"Even if they give it as finished, it is not finished. It has many deficiencies, especially in the finishes and with the course of the water, in how they have channeled the waters. The work was not well planned from the beginning," says Estefanía Rovira, mayor of Ràfol d'Almúnia to LaMarinaAlta.comIn addition to the fact that the works have been underway since February 2022, with the consequent inconvenience that they cause to the daily lives of residents, the most affected town continues to suffer the ravages caused by the first phase of the project.
"Many terraces flood, they look like swimming pools when it rains. The roundabout below does not drain the water well, so it also tends to flood," says Rovira, and there are rocks falling onto the new road between roundabouts every time it rains or is windy. In this sense, the neighbours have the feeling, and have confirmed this, that the works are not well planned, much less finished "as they should be."
On the other hand, the mayor also points out that, despite the inconvenience it causes, they have always received the attention of the Provincial Council regarding complaints and possible solutions. "I spoke with Arturo Poquet, deputy for Urban Planning, to inform him of all the deficiencies. Before Christmas, the Provincial Council technicians came and took note of everything. We still don't know anything else, but I suppose it will take time to study the situation and propose a solution to everything," explains Rovira.
The Ràfol Town Hall has always acted as an intermediary between the affected residents, such as those with flooded terraces, and the provincial entity. "We provided photos of everything and gave some ideas to solve the problems, but we are not technicians nor do we have the authority to act, because it is the responsibility of the Provincial Council."
The mayor admits that yes, a solution has been found to the "historical problem" of excessive vehicle traffic inside Ràfol d'Almúnia, but with it other problems have arisen for which they hope to receive satisfactory solutions soon.
