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The Estacio Bridge in La Manga del Mar Menor broke down once again on Sunday afternoon, July 13, causing major traffic disruption during one of the busiest times of the year. The bridge became stuck in the raised position just after 4pm when it was opened to allow boats to pass between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean.

 

Due to a technical failure, it could not be lowered again automatically, leading to a complete standstill in road traffic for almost two hours.

 

According to the La Manga-Veneziola Neighbourhood Association, this kind of breakdown is nothing new. Residents and local businesses have been raising the issue for years, warning that the drawbridge’s constant failures are not only an inconvenience but a growing risk.

 

The bridge was eventually lowered manually and traffic resumed around 5.40pm but by then, the impact had already been felt. Cars were backed up on both sides of the bridge, and even an ambulance was delayed while on its way to an emergency.

 

With summer now in full swing and thousands of tourists flooding into the area, frustration over the bridge’s unreliability has reached a boiling point. The Estacio Bridge is a vital link between the north and south of La Manga and plays a key role in keeping people and goods moving. But its fragile mechanism and frequent breakdowns are creating serious problems for residents, holidaymakers and emergency services alike.

Local business owners and residents are now renewing their calls for a long-term fix.

 

"We, the ACE Business Association of La Manga del Mar Menor, are requesting a permanent solution for the Estacio Bridge: a joint underground tunnel project funded by the Autonomous Community and the Mar Menor municipalities is urgently needed," they said in a statement this week.

 

Calls for a tunnel to replace the bridge are not new, but the latest incident has given renewed urgency to the campaign. Residents argue that the bridge’s repeated failures hurt both road and sea traffic, making logistics more difficult and raising serious safety concerns. They say that despite years of complaints and suggestions, there is still no clear plan to guarantee safe and steady traffic in La Manga.

 

Earlier this year, the La Manga Veneziola Neighbourhood Association also met with the San Javier Town Council to push for a tunnel.

 

“This bridge represents a serious disruption to the entire neighbourhood, and the disruption is exacerbated in the summer, with waits of up to 30 minutes. Furthermore, in the event of a fire or other catastrophe that coincides with one of the bridge's failures, the problem could be downright serious and cost lives,” a spokesperson said at the time.

 

The ACE Business Association has expressed its full support for collaborating with local and regional authorities on a long-term solution. They are prepared to take an active role in discussions and planning efforts to evaluate possible alternatives, assess feasibility and help develop a roadmap that would finally bring about the tunnel project.

 

For them, improving mobility in La Manga is not just important for day-to-day convenience but essential for the sustainable future of the area, benefiting both residents and the local economy.

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de San Javier