## Mos Mobilizes Against New A-52 Route
The municipality of Mos is taking a stand against the proposed new A-52 route, forming a dedicated Commission to coordinate opposition efforts. This initiative, spearheaded by Mayor Nidia Arévalo, brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including local council members, representatives from the DefendeMos platform, urban planning experts, and leaders from affected neighborhood associations. [[1]]
The Commission’s inaugural meeting, held on January 13th, 2025, focused on outlining a comprehensive strategy to challenge the project. Key decisions included expanding membership to include councilors from affected parishes and scheduling a follow-up meeting on January 21st to review the initial findings of a municipal objection report. [[2]]
Furthermore, the Commission is actively organizing a grassroots campaign to collect individual objections from residents. Volunteers will be deployed across affected parishes to facilitate this process, ensuring maximum community participation.
Recognizing the importance of broader support, the Commission is also reaching out to Mos’s leading business and industry associations – AEMOS, BaRES Mos, and ACeS Mos – seeking their collaboration in this crucial endeavor.
Unifying the community’s resistance, the Commission has adopted the powerful slogan “DefendeMos, NO a la nueva Autovía” (DefendeMos, NO to the new Highway), effectively capturing the spirit of their fight.
The proposed A-52 route, championed by the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, has sparked meaningful concern due to its potentially devastating impact on several parishes, including Sanguiñeda, Petelos, Tameiga, and Pereiras. The route threatens not only residential areas but also vital water infrastructure, with at least eight water supply lines identified as being at risk. [[3]]
this situation highlights the urgent need for a thorough reassessment of the A-52 project, taking into account the profound social and environmental consequences it poses for the Mos community.
A-52 Expansion: A Controversial Project Threatens Mos
The proposed expansion of the A-52 highway has ignited fierce opposition in Mos, with residents and local authorities raising serious concerns about its potential impact on the community.
Transparency regarding the project is paramount, and the Concello de Mos has made all relevant documentation readily available on its official website. This includes the Model of Allegations, Traced Plan, Occupation Plan, and the Complete Project, allowing everyone to access and analyze the data.
Traffic Relief or a Misguided Solution?
While proponents argue that the new A-52 will alleviate traffic congestion, critics point out that it fails to address the root cause of the problem. heavy goods vehicles will likely continue using the existing A-55, and residents of Mos will still rely on this route due to the lack of direct access points to the new highway. Consequently, the project primarily benefits traffic flowing between Vigo’s Avenida de Madrid and destinations like Tui or Ourense.
Environmental Concerns and Water Supply at Risk
Adding to the controversy is the proposed tunnel’s steep 5% gradient, considerably steeper than vigo’s 0.9%.This raises concerns about increased safety risks and potential disruptions to the local water supply. The project threatens several water sources in Mos, including:
* Public Water Systems: Tameiga (2), Petelos (2), Pereiras (2), Sanguiñeda (1), and A Candosa (private).
The construction could negatively impact drainage, wells, pipelines, sand traps, water intakes, and underground water flow, jeopardizing the water security of these communities.
Calls for Immediate Action: Toll-Free AP-9 as a Viable Alternative
in response to these concerns, the DefendeMos platform and the Concello de Mos have called for the immediate removal of tolls on the AP-9 highway in O Porriño. This demand,historically voiced by Mos,was reiterated in the December 30,2024,plenary session. A joint motion by the PP and BNG urged the Ministry of Transport to halt the A-52 project and implement the toll-free solution. The PSOE, though, opposed this proposal.United Front Against a “Devastating” Project
Mayor Nidia Arévalo emphasized the community’s unwavering commitment to fighting this project, stating that it would be the first of many motions aimed at stopping what she termed a “devastating” project for Mos. She stressed that the movement would be lead by residents, with the government and BNG standing alongside them, ensuring that the fight remains free from political maneuvering and focused solely on protecting Mos’s interests.
Arévalo further condemned the Ministry’s alternative as “aggressive and harmful,” highlighting its potential to destroy five urbanizable plots, demolish buildings, displace over 100 families, disrupt vital municipal roads, and demolish the Amie pedestrian bridge.The Mayor of Mos has voiced strong opposition to the Ministry’s recently constructed infrastructure project, arguing that it fails to address the municipality’s pressing traffic and safety concerns.
In a statement, the Mayor emphasized the project’s inadequacy, stating that it represents a significant investment in infrastructure that does little to alleviate existing traffic congestion and accident rates. She highlighted the availability of more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives, such as making the AP-9 toll-free.
“We need solutions that are both practical and sustainable,” she asserted. “Freeing the Puxeiros-Porriño stretch of the AP-9 from tolls would be a straightforward, immediate, and less damaging solution for our region, and significantly more affordable than the current project.”
The Mos Town Council is committed to ensuring residents have access to all necessary information and resources to exercise their right to file objections. The Urban Planning department is available to assist citizens with this process from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.
A-52 Expansion: Community Rallies Against Highway Project, Citing Traffic Concerns adn Environmental Risks
The proposed expansion of the A-52 highway in Mos, Spain, has become a focal point of intense debate, pitting proponents who tout its potential for traffic relief against a growing coalition of residents, local officials, and environmental advocates who express serious concerns about its impact on the community and the environment.
Community Mobilization:
The municipality of Mos, demonstrating a strong commitment to its residents’ concerns, has taken a leading role in opposing the project. Mayor Nidia arévalo spearheads a newly formed Commission, uniting a diverse group of stakeholders including council members, representatives from the “defendemos” platform, urban planners, and neighborhood association leaders. This Commission is actively engaging in a multi-pronged strategy, including:
Expanding Membership: Reaching out to councilors from affected parishes to broaden representation and ensure complete community input.
Grassroots Campaign: Launching a door-to-door campaign to collect individual objections from residents, mobilizing volunteers to facilitate participation.
Collaboration with Business and Industry: Seeking support and alignment with Mos’s leading business and industry associations – AEMOS, BaRES Mos, and ACeS Mos – to amplify their message and advocate for a broader understanding of the project’s potential consequences.
The Commission’s impactful slogan,”DefendeMos,NO a la nueva Autovía” (DefendeMos,NO to the new Highway) encapsulates the collective spirit of resistance and underlines the urgency of their cause.
openness and Due Process:
The Concello de Mos has demonstrated a commitment to transparency by making all project documentation, including the Model of Allegations, Traced Plan, Occupation Plan, and the Complete Project, accessible on its official website. This open access allows residents and stakeholders to thoroughly analyze the proposed plan and hold informed discussions.
debating the Pros and Cons:
While proponents of the A-52 expansion argue that it will alleviate traffic congestion, critics contend that it will not address the underlying factors contributing to traffic issues.
Limited benefits for Local Residents:
Opponents highlight that the new highway’s primary beneficiaries will be through traffic travelling between Vigo’s Avenida de madrid and destinations like Tui or Ourense.
Mos residents will still rely on the existing A-55 due to the lack of direct access points, and heavy goods vehicles are likely to continue using this route.
* Environmental Concerns and Risks to Water Supply:
A key area of contention is the proposed tunnel’s steep 5% gradient, which is substantially steeper than Vigo’s existing 0.9% gradient.
This raises concerns about potential environmental impacts and the risk of disrupting existing water infrastructure.
The project has identified at least eight water supply lines as perhaps at risk, raising alarm bells about the potential consequences for the community’s water security.
Looking Ahead:
The debate surrounding the A-52 expansion highlights the complex challenges communities face when balancing economic development with environmental protection and the well-being of their residents.
The robust opposition from Mos highlights the importance of community engagement, transparency, and a thorough assessment of potential risks and benefits when undertaking large-scale infrastructure projects.
The coming months will be crucial as the Commission continues its work,advocating for its residents and seeking a pathway forward that prioritizes the long-term sustainability and well-being of the community.
The outcome of this debate will serve as a valuable case study for future infrastructure projects, illustrating the importance of community voices in shaping the future of their environment.
