Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of July 6, 2026, from the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment — Environmental Impact Statement of the project «Capacity improvement of highways A-67 and S-10. Section: Santander-airport» |
|---|---|
| Publication | July 29, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 29, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Residents and companies in Santander and Camargo, users of highways A-67 and S-10, transport and logistics sector |
| Category | Regulatory Changes — Infrastructure and Environment |
| Year | 2026 |
| Affected municipalities | Santander and Camargo |
| Sensitive buildings with acoustic measures | 25 |
| Promoting bodies | General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment / Ministry of Transport |
The Ministry of Transport now has the green light to bid for capacity improvement works on highways A-67 and S-10 in the section between Santander and the airport. The Resolution of July 6, 2026 from the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment formulates the favorable environmental impact statement, a prerequisite and indispensable requirement for the project to advance to the contracting and execution phase.
The process has lasted several years, with public consultations and requests for additional information focused especially on acoustic matters. The result is a favorable EIA with conditions: the project cannot be executed without complying with the imposed corrective measures.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution formulates the favorable Environmental Impact Statement (EIA) for the capacity improvement project of highways A-67 and S-10 in the Santander-airport section. A favorable EIA does not mean that the works are approved without conditions: it means that the project can be executed as long as the imposed corrective measures are complied with.
The main elements of the approved project are:
- Roadway expansion in the Santander-airport section of highways A-67 and S-10.
- Remodeling of five interchanges to improve traffic capacity and flow.
- Traffic improvements in the municipalities of Santander and Camargo.
In environmental matters, the analysis concludes that the project does not affect Natura 2000 network areas or protected areas, which has facilitated the issuance of the favorable EIA. However, specific corrective measures are imposed regarding noise:
- Installation of mobile acoustic screens during the construction phase to protect nearby sensitive buildings.
- The acoustic measures affect 25 sensitive buildings identified in the vicinity of the works.
This resolution is the indispensable prerequisite for the Ministry of Transport to bid and execute the works. Without the EIA published in the BOE, the project could not advance administratively.
Economic and operational impact
For the business and logistics sector, this resolution has concrete operational consequences in the short and medium term:
- Upcoming bidding: The Ministry of Transport can now initiate the contracting process. Construction companies, civil engineering firms, and road infrastructure equipment suppliers should watch for the appearance of tender documents on the Public Sector Contracting Platform.
- Impacts during construction: The roadway expansion and remodeling of five interchanges will generate traffic cuts, detours, and circulation restrictions in the Santander-airport section. Companies with regular logistics routes on the A-67 or S-10 should anticipate possible impacts on delivery times.
- Acoustic obligations for the promoter: The Ministry of Transport, as the promoter, is obligated to install mobile acoustic screens during construction for the 25 identified sensitive buildings. This represents an additional cost in the project that will be reflected in the bidding budget.
- Long-term connectivity improvement: Once the works are completed, the capacity improvement of the A-67 and S-10 will benefit companies operating in the Camargo industrial park and traffic to Santander airport.
Who does it affect?
- Construction and civil engineering companies: Potential bidders for the works contract once the Ministry initiates the contracting process.
- Logistics and transport companies: With regular routes on the A-67 (Santander-Palencia) and S-10 (airport access), they will need to plan detours during the construction phase.
- Companies in Camargo industrial parks: Affected by the works on the five remodeled interchanges and by traffic improvements in the municipality.
- Owners and managers of the 25 identified sensitive buildings: Have the right to demand compliance with acoustic measures during construction.
- Residents in Santander and Camargo: Affected by the works during the construction phase and benefited by the long-term road capacity improvement.
- Airport sector and companies operating at Santander airport: The improvement of road access directly impacts airport accessibility.
Practical example
A freight transport company based in Camargo that uses the A-67 daily for its routes to Santander and the airport should now activate its logistics contingency plan:
- The remodeling of the five interchanges in the Santander-airport section will generate circulation restrictions during the construction phase. Usual transit times may be altered.
- If any of its warehouses or facilities is among the 25 sensitive buildings identified, it has the right to have the promoter install mobile acoustic screens during construction.
- Once the works are completed, the roadway expansion and improvement of the interchanges will result in reduced access times to Santander airport, with a positive impact on the operational efficiency of its routes.
For construction companies: the publication of the EIA is the signal that bidding can occur in the coming months. It is advisable to monitor the Public Sector Contracting Platform to detect the appearance of the tender.
What should companies do now?
- Construction and civil engineering companies: Activate monitoring of the Public Sector Contracting Platform to detect the works contract bidding as soon as the Ministry of Transport publishes it.
- Logistics companies with routes on the A-67 and S-10: Review route plans and anticipate alternative detours for the Santander-airport section during the construction phase.
- Owners of sensitive buildings in the vicinity of the works: Verify if your property is among the 25 identified buildings and, if so, demand that the promoter comply with mandatory acoustic measures (mobile screens during construction).
- Companies in Camargo with access through the five remodeled interchanges: Plan alternative access routes and communicate possible impacts to customers and suppliers with sufficient notice.
- Airport sector: Inform operators and users of Santander airport about possible impacts on road access during the construction phase.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Environmental Impact Statement and why is it necessary for the works?
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIA) is the pronouncement of the competent environmental body —in this case the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment— on whether a project can be executed and under what conditions. Without the favorable EIA published in the BOE, the Ministry of Transport cannot bid or execute the capacity improvement works on the A-67 and S-10. The resolution was published on July 29, 2026 and entered into force that same day.
How many buildings have the right to acoustic protection during the works?
The EIA imposes specific acoustic corrective measures for 25 sensitive buildings located in the vicinity of the works. The specific measure consists of the installation of mobile acoustic screens during the construction phase. The owners or managers of these buildings can demand compliance with this obligation from the promoter (Ministry of Transport).
Do the works affect protected natural areas or Natura 2000 network?
No. The environmental analysis contained in the resolution expressly concludes that the project does not affect Natura 2000 network areas or protected areas. This was one of the determining factors for the issuance of the favorable EIA.
When can the Ministry of Transport bid for the works?
Since July 29, 2026, the date of publication and entry into force of the EIA. The resolution is the indispensable prerequisite for initiating the bidding process. There is no published maximum deadline for the call, so interested companies should monitor the Public Sector Contracting Platform.
What municipalities are affected by the A-67 and S-10 improvement works?
The works affect the municipalities of Santander and Camargo. The project includes roadway expansion, remodeling of five interchanges, and traffic improvements in both municipalities in the section between Santander and the airport.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is purely informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16531