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Half of Spain’s Road Network Rated in Severe Disrepair

The first AI-powered evaluation reveals urgent reconstruction needs on nearly 34,000 km of highway with a €13.5 billion maintenance shortfall.

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Una carretera en mal estado en Silleda
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Overview

  • Over 52% of Spain’s 101,700 kilometers of state and regional roads are in severe or very severe condition, according to the AEC report.
  • The assessment identifies 33,966 km needing reconstruction within one year and an additional 20,407 km requiring repairs within four years.
  • Meeting those repair needs requires €13.491 billion, more than six times the roughly €2 billion currently spent on annual road maintenance.
  • The AEC used dynamic imaging and AI analysis in 2024 and found road degradation accelerating at roughly 8% per year, tripling urgent reconstruction needs since 2022.
  • The Asociación Española de la Carretera urges the creation of a dedicated funding mechanism with measures such as ending fuel tax exemptions for rail, maritime and air transport.