- The AP-7 toll road between Alicante, Torrevieja, and Cartagena has posted eight-figure profits for the fourth consecutive year.
- Traffic reached a record average of 24,909 vehicles per day in 2024,driving revenue increases.
- Net profits soared to €24.1 million in 2024, eight times higher than the previous year, partly due to accounting adjustments.
- The road company Ausur reversed previous financial losses linked to infrastructure competition and economic crisis downturns.
- Despite rising profits, local governments and drivers request the removal of tolls to ease daily congestion.
- Plans to expand the highway with a third lane are scheduled between 2034 and 2040.
AP-7 Toll Road Connecting Alicante and Torrevieja posts Multimillion-Euro Profits Amid Rising Traffic
Once on the brink of bankruptcy a decade ago, Ausur, the company managing the AP-7 toll road between Alicante, Torrevieja, and Cartagena, now finds itself in a surprisingly profitable position. Fueled by increased vehicle flow and strategic tariff updates, Ausur has recorded record financial results, marking a remarkable turnaround after years of losses.
From Crisis to Profitability: A Decade of Change
Back in 2014, many believed Ausur would suffer the same fate as other struggling toll road operators in Spain, such as Ciralsa or various Madrid radial highways, facing unavoidable financial failure. However, AusurS shareholders convinced lenders to grant them a second chance, arguing the road had strong potential for profitability.
Fast forward to 2024, Ausur has posted net profits of €24.1 million-an eightfold increase compared to the €3 million profit the previous year. Revenue for the year reached nearly €19.5 million, a 15% increase over 2023. Increasing daily vehicle counts-averaging 24,909 per day, a new high recorded by Spain’s Ministry of Transport-are credited with this improved performance.
What Explains Such a Dramatic Profit Increase?
The extraordinary rise in profits is partly explained by accounting adjustments. Ausur has reversed a previously declared asset impairment of over €29 million from 2016, when the company had to account for the negative impact caused by the expansion of the parallel N-332 highway – a development originally unforeseen at the time the concession was granted in 1998.
This recalibration of expected traffic flow and business value has allowed Ausur to substantially boost reported profits. Even when excluding these one-time accounting gains, the company still demonstrates strong operational results – a pre-tax profit of €6.1 million, which translates to an enviable profit margin exceeding 30% on revenues.
Rising Traffic and Financial Stability
The end of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a surge in highway use. The report accompanying Ausur’s financial accounts highlights a 17% increase in light vehicle traffic as 2019, with heavy truck volumes also rising by 15%. This strong traffic boost enabled the company to pay down debts ahead of schedule and restructure banking agreements.
| Year | Traffic Growth (%) | Net Profit (€ million) | Revenue (€ million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 vs 2024 (Traffic) | +17% (lights), +15% (trucks) | – | – |
| 2023 | – | 3.0 | ~17.0 |
| 2024 | – | 24.1 | 19.5 |
Historical Background: Building a Vital Transport Link
the AP-7 stretch between Alicante and Cartagena, including the Torrevieja area, was inaugurated in 2001 after a concession award in 1998. The project was a cornerstone of regional infrastructure development championed by then Generalitat President eduardo Zaplana as an exmaple of effective public-private partnership (PPP) models under Spain’s economic liberalization policies.
Unlike many toll roads, the AP-7 managed by Ausur operates with limited toll barriers – only two main toll stations and one lateral barrier – allowing free traffic on some sections. Though, economic downturns following the 2008 financial crisis strained traffic volumes and profitability, leading to consecutive losses from 2009 to 2020 (except 2017). Ausur further faced challenges linked to the collapse of the Cartagena-Vera toll road, a project in which it held a stake.
Calls for toll Elimination and Future Expansion
Despite ausur’s improved financial health, local governments and drivers in the Vega Baja area remain critical of the persisting toll system.Municipal authorities such as those in Orihuela have publicly requested the removal of toll barriers, highlighting ongoing congestion and daily traffic jams. These protests come amidst government decisions to make the alicante second ring road toll-free after its public takeover.
Looking ahead, Ausur’s economic plan anticipates expanding the AP-7 highway by adding a third lane between 2034 and 2040 to accommodate continued traffic growth.
Key Takeaways
- Ausur’s AP-7 concession has reversed years of losses, reporting significant net profits in 2024.
- Record-breaking traffic volumes and periodic tariff increases have driven revenue gains.
- Accounting revaluations have inflated reported profits but operational results remain highly positive.
- Local municipalities advocate for eliminating tolls to alleviate traffic congestion problems.
- Infrastructure expansion is planned in the medium term to support growing transport demands.
as Spain’s transport landscape evolves, the AP-7 toll road between Alicante and Torrevieja serves as a noteworthy example of how infrastructure concessions can recover from crisis and deliver strong economic returns-albeit amid ongoing public debate about accessibility and toll pricing.
Article based on reporting from Información