The large-scale M-70 project is once again at the forefront of Spain’s automotive community — a ring road that would run along the outer perimeter of the Madrid autonomous community and connect four provinces at once: Segovia, Ávila, Toledo, and Guadalajara. First proposed back in 2005, the idea languished in obscurity for years due to the economic crisis, but is now returning to the spotlight thanks to approval for constructing the key A-40 segment between Ocaña and Toledo.
A new logic for transit
The M-70 project, also known as the “Pentagon Project” due to its distinctive geometry, has the potential to radically reshape intercity transportation across central Spain. Currently, most transit flows are forced to pass through Madrid, but with the construction of the outer ring, a significant portion of traffic would be able to bypass the capital. This is particularly important for residents and workers of Segovia, Ávila, Toledo, and Guadalajara, who face daily congestion on the central routes.
A key element in the future M-70 will be the completion of the A-40 — a highway designed to connect the east and west of the country. After financing was approved for the Ocaña-Toledo section (€240 million), the president of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, explicitly stated that this road should form the basis for the future M-70. Segments between Segovia and Ávila are already completed, and work is underway to connect Maqueda and Cuenca, although no completion dates have been set.
Technical challenges and routes
The implementation of the M-70 requires not only the completion of the A-40, but also the integration of other key highways. Among these are the AP-51, AP-61, and the planned A-28, which is supposed to connect Guadalajara and Cuenca but currently exists only on paper. Special attention is being given to the complex sections: connecting Macaeda with Ávila, and Guadalajara with Tarancón. The most challenging segment will be between Segovia and Guadalajara, as it must run outside the Madrid region, which demands new engineering solutions and agreements.
Route options include using the existing N-110 to connect to the A-1 near Santo Tomé del Puerto, and then descending along the A-1 with the possibility of connecting to the N-320 in Venturada. An alternative could be extending the N-110 to Riaza. All these solutions are aimed at minimizing the load on the central radial highways and creating a full-fledged outer transport belt.
Market and prospects
For the Spanish automotive market, the launch of the M-70 could become one of the most significant infrastructure events of the decade. The new ring road will not only relieve existing routes, but also increase appeal for logistics, commercial transport, and intercity travel. In the long term, this could affect the structure of demand for commercial vehicles, as well as the development of dealership networks and service centers in the new transport hubs.
The M-70 project also involves integration with the country’s six main radial highways: A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, and A-6. This approach will create a unique transport architecture, where each segment of the ring is connected to the key national routes. For manufacturers and fleet operators, this opens up new opportunities to optimize routes and reduce travel times.
Judging by the current dynamics, the M-70 remains a long-term project requiring significant investment and interregional coordination. However, the fact that this issue has returned to the public agenda indicates that both the market and the authorities are ready for new infrastructure solutions capable of transforming central Spain’s transportation map.
For reference: the A-40 is one of Spain’s strategic highways, designed to connect the eastern and western regions of the country. Its completion is critical for the implementation of the M-70. If carried out, the M-70 project could become the largest transportation reform for Madrid and the surrounding provinces in recent decades, altering not only traffic patterns but also the structure of the regional automobile market.
