Study predicts savings from new motorways

The Almerian chamber of Commerce and Unicaja bank have presented in Almeria a report, 'The Velez-Rubio - Tabernas Motorway as a factor in economic development', drawn up by Economic Analysts of Andalucia (part of the Unicaja bank group) and promoted by the chamber of commerce. The report is an exhaustive analysis of the economic impact the construction of a motorway joining Velez-Rubio and Tabernas would have and includes an analysis of the effects of the new motorway currently being built between Purchena and the A7 motorway Albox junction. The report includes cost-benefit analysis of both motorways and also input-output analysis which deals with the short term effects of the construction works on employment and production.

    The projected Velez-Rubio motorway would act as a backbone to the province, providing a new North-South connection, joining the marble industry, the port of Almeria and the planned Renewable Energies Technological Centre. The marble industry is the third most important industry in Almeria after agriculture and tourism. In 2005 it was worth 750 million euros and employed 5,520 workers. Presently 35% of Almeria's marble is exported from the Port of Valencia in containers and only 10% from Almeria's port, although the port of Almeria cannot presently handle container freight, plans for enlarging the port are in the pipeline. The Renewable Energies Technological Centre has 62.2 million euros earmarked for it in the near future and is Spain's bet for research and development of solar, biomass and wind derived energy. Almeria is already a world leader in solar concentration technology. The cost of this motorway is estimated at 472.5 million euros but the saving in time, congestion and accidents is estimated at 746 million euros, an overall saving of nearly 275 million.

The Purchena- A7 motorway (known as the 'Marble Motorway') under construction at the moment has a cost of 320 million euros but will save local businesses and government 480 million, a benefit of 160 million euros.

    The report does not take into account environmental impact.