El Puerto de Santa María–Rota A-491 road works: timeline, scope and impact
After years of announcements without clear timelines, the Andalusian regional government has finally approved funding for a long-awaited upgrade of the A-491, the main road linking the northwest coast of Cádiz with the A-4 motorway. For residents of Costa Ballena, this marks a meaningful step forward — even if the improvement will not yet reach our doorstep.
What has been approved — and what hasn’t
The Junta de Andalucía has authorised an investment of €43 million to convert a six-kilometre stretch of the A-491 into a double carriageway, specifically between kilometre points 10 and 16, within the municipal area of Rota. This section currently carries more than 15,000 vehicles per day, including a notable share of heavy traffic, yet remains a single carriageway with limited capacity.
Crucially for Costa Ballena residents, the final five kilometres between Rota town and Costa Ballena will remain unchanged. The project stops at the existing Rota junction, meaning that direct access to Costa Ballena itself is not included in this phase.
A clearer, faster connection — up to Rota
Even with that limitation, the impact will be tangible. Once completed, the new double carriageway will remove one of the most persistent bottlenecks on the route towards El Puerto de Santa María and the A-4. Expected benefits include:
- Smoother and more predictable journeys towards Jerez, El Puerto and Seville
- Improved road safety on a stretch long criticised for congestion and overtaking risks
- Reduced delays at peak times, particularly during summer months and commuter hours
For Costa Ballena residents who regularly travel beyond Rota, this will make everyday journeys noticeably easier.
Additional improvements along the route
The project goes beyond adding lanes. It also includes:
- A bidirectional cycle path and a green pedestrian route alongside the road
- A new roundabout on the A-2075, near Rota cemetery, replacing hazardous left-turn junctions
- A 27-space holding area for trucks linked to the nearby naval base, helping to reduce roadside congestion
The project already has environmental approval, with construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026. The planned execution period is 34 months, spread across 2026, 2027 and 2028.
What residents should expect during the works
It would be unrealistic to pretend that nearly three years of roadworks will be inconvenience-free. During the construction period, temporary traffic disruptions are likely, particularly at peak times and during summer. These may include:
- Reduced speed limits and lane narrowing on affected sections
- Occasional delays or short-term diversions, depending on construction phases
- Increased pressure on alternative routes during busy periods
For Costa Ballena residents, day-to-day access to and from the resort is expected to remain open, but journey times towards Rota, El Puerto and the A-4 may be less predictable while works are ongoing. The expectation, however, is that works will be managed in stages to avoid prolonged disruption.
Why this matters for Costa Ballena
While the final link to Costa Ballena remains pending, this upgrade strengthens the case for future improvements closer to the resort. A modernised A-491 up to Rota improves overall accessibility and reinforces Costa Ballena’s position as a well-connected residential and leisure destination.
Local authorities in Rota have described the decision as a major step forward, noting that for the first time the entire approved section will be built in a single phase, with confirmed multi-year funding rather than repeated announcements without financial backing.
The upgraded section will ease long-standing pressure on one of the region’s key arteries, even if patience will be required during the construction period.