Madrid unveils Southwest highway plan and Metro turnstile upgrade

The Community of Madrid has presented a new 41‑kilometre Southwest highway project, dubbed the "Autopista Madrileña del Suroeste." The route will link the M‑503 and M‑407 roads, improve connections to the A‑5, A‑6 and A‑4 corridors and serve towns such as Valdemorillo, Brunete, Navalcarnero and Griñón. The project aims to ease traffic for more than 100,000 residents, with an expected daily flow of 10,000‑17,000 vehicles, and is part of a broader "super‑ring" plan that includes the proposed M‑70. The regional government is reviewing the contract for a technical feasibility study.

Separately, Metro de Madrid has completed the first phase of a turnstile renewal programme, installing 419 new devices across more than 30 stations. The €19.09 million investment brings larger validation areas, contactless payment (credit/debit cards, mobile phones and smartwatches), anti‑vandal materials and improved passenger information displays. A second phase is under way with 38 devices at three stations, and the operator plans to install a total of 272 new turnstiles in the coming months. Funding comes from the EU Next Generation programme, the regional recovery plan and the European Regional Development Fund.