For nearly half a century, a toll highway has connected Oviedo and Leon, long becoming a source of frustration for Asturias residents. The toll on the Huerna is one of the highest in the country, at €15.60 per trip. But the main grievance isn’t about the price—this fee was supposed to be scrapped back in 2021. However, despite expectations, the concession has been extended until 2050, sparking a wave of public discontent and political battles.
The authorities in Asturias, led by Adrián Barbón, have decided to take decisive action. At the latest meeting of the regional government, a decision was made to file a lawsuit challenging the legality of the concession’s extension. This effectively paves the way for legal proceedings against the central government. Regional officials insist that the toll must be abolished and drivers freed from unnecessary expenses.
History of the conflict
The Huerna highway was built in 1975, when the Franco regime was still in power. The concession for building and operating the road was granted for 46 years, meaning it was set to expire in 2021. However, in 1984, the government intervened in management due to the concessionaire company’s financial troubles. From that point, large-scale modernization of the highway began, and the concession’s term became a matter of dispute.
In 2000, under the government of José María Aznar, the concession period was extended until 2050. Officially, this was explained as necessary to “normalize the toll road system.” A few years later, the company was privatized again. Since then, the issue of the fairness of the toll has been repeatedly raised at all levels of government.
Pressure on the government
In recent years, all political forces in Asturias—from conservatives to the left—have advocated for abolishing the toll. In 2021, MP Daniel Ripa filed a complaint with the European Commission, citing violations during the concession extension. In July 2025, Brussels acknowledged that the toll must be lifted and that the extension had been carried out with transparency and competition violations. The European Commission gave Spain two months to resolve the issue.
Despite this, four months later, drivers continue to pay the old rates. Representatives of transport companies note that for many carriers these are significant additional costs, especially since the route is often congested due to repairs and landslides. Civil organizations are urging people to keep their receipts and are preparing collective lawsuits, citing recent Supreme Court rulings on similar cases.
Madrid’s Position
Transport Minister Óscar Puente stated that abolishing the toll is currently impossible due to financial and legal complications. In October 2025, thousands of Asturias residents took to the streets of Oviedo demanding the closure of the toll section, but the government stood firm. As a temporary measure, discounts were introduced for trucks and regular users; however, experts believe these measures cost the budget more than a full cancellation of the toll.
Asturian authorities insist there are neither economic nor legal grounds to maintain the toll. They emphasize that the cost of the concession is significantly lower than what the state spends on compensation and subsidies. Now, the regional government is awaiting a decision from the EU court but is already prepared to go all the way in defending the rights of its residents.
In case you were unaware, Adrián Barbón has been the president of Asturias since 2019 and is a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party. He is known for his proactive stance on infrastructure issues and for defending the region’s interests. Barbón has repeatedly stressed that abolishing the toll on the Huerna is a matter of principle for Asturias and is ready to use all legal tools to achieve this goal.
