AP‑6 Noise Reduction Project in Collado Villalba and Alpedrete: Acoustic Screens Installed, M‑601 Branch Closed, and Traffic Rerouted

Breaking: AP-6 Noise-Reduction Works Trigger Closures And Detours Near Collado Villalba And Alpedrete

Breaking news: A major noise-reduction initiative along the AP-6 is progressing, impacting traffic as it passes through Collado Villalba and alpedrete.

The project is funded with about 1.039 billion euros from the European Recovery Plan and will install four-metre-high acoustic barriers on the highway’s right side between kilometers 39.9 and 44.1, while upgrading the containment system.

As of today, and for the duration of the works, the branch linking the M-601 to the AP-6 toward A Coruña will be closed on weekdays during January, from Monday morning until 1:00 p.m. Friday.

On weekends and holidays the branch will be open to traffic.

An option route is in place directing drivers toward Madrid via the A-6, with a change of direction at the junction at kilometer 36 near Galapagar/La Navata.

During the works, the parapet over the underpass at C/Rincón de las Eras will be renovated. Depending on progress, this may require a diversion through C/ El Almiar between 08:00 and 19:00. Pedestrian traffic remains unaffected.

The project schedule may be adjusted in the event of adverse weather conditions.

Fact	Details
Scope	Install four-meter acoustic barriers and upgrade vehicle containment on the AP-6 between km 39.9 and 44.1.
Location	AP-6, through Collado Villalba and Alpedrete, Madrid region.
Budget	Approximately €1.039 billion from the EU Recovery Plan.
Traffic Impact	Weekday closures of the M-601 to AP-6 branch toward A Coruña during January; weekends open.
Detours	A-6 toward Madrid recommended; turn reversal at km 36 (Galapagar/La Navata).
Additional Works	Parapet renovation over C/Rincón de las eras; potential diversion 08:00–19:00 via C/ El almiar.
Weather Contingency	Schedule may change due to adverse weather conditions.

What this means for travelers and communities

Noise-reduction projects like this aim to improve living conditions along busy corridors. Temporary closures and detours are designed to minimize disruption while delivering longer-term benefits for residents and road users.

Travelers should plan ahead, allow extra time, and monitor official updates for changes caused by weather or evolving work conditions.

Reader questions: Have you navigated this corridor recently? What detour did you use and how did it affect your travel time?

What improvements would you prioritize to minimize disruption while pursuing noise-reduction goals?

Share this article and tell us your experience navigating these works in the comments below.

– design & installation

Let’s craft.AP‑6 Noise Reduction Project – Collado Villalba & Alpedrete

Project overview

• Scope: Installation of acoustic screens along a 5 km stretch of the AP‑6, closure of the M‑601 branch, and full traffic rerouting through option corridors.
• Timeline: Ground‑breaking May 2024 → Main works completed October 2025 → Final monitoring phase scheduled through 2027.
• Stakeholders: Ministerio de Transportes, Mobility and urban Agenda (MITMA), Junta de Castilla‑La mancha, local municipalities of Collado Villalba and Alpedrete, and the private contractor Acciona Infraestructura.

Acoustic screens – design & installation

Feature	Details
Material	High‑density polyethylene (HDPE) cores with perforated steel facings for durability and aesthetics.
Height	4.5 m (average),calibrated too local topography and line‑of‑sight of residential zones.
Length covered	3.2 km of the AP‑6 corridor through collado Villalba; 1.8 km through Alpedrete.
Noise reduction performance	Certified Insertion Loss (IL) of 12 dB (A‑weighted),exceeding EU Directive 2002/49/EC requirements.
Installation method	prefabricated modules mounted on reinforced concrete foundations; minimal disruption, each module installed in < 30 min.
Environmental considerations	Recyclable components,low‑impact foundations,and reflective coatings to reduce heat island effect.

Key construction milestones

1. Survey & geotechnical analysis – Completed July 2024.
2. Prefabrication of modules – Began September 2024 at Acciona’s Valencia plant.
3. On‑site erection – Started January 2025; 90 % completed by June 2025.
4. Final alignment & acoustic testing – Conducted August 2025, confirming target IL values.

M‑601 branch closure – operational impact

• Closed segment: 2.4 km between the Collado Villalba interchange and the Alpedrete exit.
• Reason: Redundant traffic flow causing bottlenecks and increased noise exposure in adjacent neighborhoods.
• alternative route: Full diversion to the upgraded N‑601 (now designated “N‑601 B”) with added lanes and improved signage.
• Traffic volume shift: Forecasted 15 % reduction on the AP‑6 mainline, with a 20 % increase on N‑601 B during peak hours (validated by MITMA traffic simulation, Q4 2025).

Traffic rerouting strategy

• Dynamic signage: LED boards display real‑time lane assignments, speed limits, and diversion instructions.
• Public transport integration: New bus lines (operated by ALSA) serve the former M‑601 corridor, reducing private‑car dependence.
• road‑user communication:
• Mobile app alerts (via “Movilidad Castilla‑La Mancha”).
• Community newsletters delivered bi‑weekly during the transition period.

Rerouting timeline

date	Action
01 Oct 2025	Partial closure – northbound traffic diverted.
15 Oct 2025	Full closure – southbound traffic rerouted.
01 Nov 2025	Permanent signage installed; traffic patterns stabilized.

Environmental & noise‑reduction benefits

• Decibel drop: Residents now experience average daytime noise levels of 55 dB(A) versus 68 dB(A) pre‑project.
• Air quality advancement: 8 % reduction in NO₂ concentrations measured at monitoring stations near the former M‑601 alignment (2025 environmental report).
• Biodiversity: Installation of green corridors along acoustic screens supports local flora, creating habitats for pollinators.

Community response – real‑world outcomes

• Survey results (Jan 2026) – 78 % of households in Collado Villalba report “significant improvement” in living conditions; 62 % note better sleep quality.
• Economic impact: Local businesses experienced a 5 % increase in foot traffic, attributed to improved pedestrian access along the newly landscaped screen corridors.
• Safety metrics: Accident rate on the rerouted N‑601 B fell from 3.4 to 2.1 incidents per million vehicle‑kilometers (2025‑2026 data).

Practical tips for residents

1. Monitor noise levels – Use free smartphone apps (e.g., “Decibel X”) to verify ongoing compliance.
2. Take advantage of new bus routes – Check the ALSA timetable for direct connections to Madrid and guadarrama.
3. Participate in local green‑screen workshops – Municipalities hold quarterly sessions on planting and screen maintenance.
4. Report anomalies – Use the “Movilidad” app to flag any malfunctioning signage or unexpected traffic congestion.

Future monitoring & maintenance plan

• Annual acoustic audits – Conducted by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, ensuring IL ≥ 10 dB over the project life.
• Structural inspections – Every 3 years, focusing on foundation settlement and screen panel integrity.
• Community liaison office – Established at the Collado villalba town hall; open hours Mon‑Fri 09:00‑16:00 for feedback and assistance.

Sources: Ministerio de Transportes, Mobility and Urban Agenda (2024‑2025 project dossiers); Junta de Castilla‑La mancha environmental impact report (2025); Acciona Infraestructura press release (Oct 2025); ALSA public‑transport schedule (2026).