The Ayala City Council, mirroring the actions of Okondo last week, has voiced its concern regarding the condition of the A-3641 road and called for immediate measures. This follows a visit from the provincial representative for Sustainable Mobility and Road Infrastructure, Jon Nogales, who briefed both municipalities on the planned timeline for comprehensive road improvements and short-term safety reinforcements.
In Ayala's case, the road passes through the village of Zuaza, which experiences heavy traffic involving heavy vehicles, cars, cyclists, and pedestrians, without adequate infrastructure to ensure safe circulation. Consequently, they are requesting a precise count of all vehicle types using the road.
Furthermore, they highlight that, unlike nearby areas such as Okondo where sidewalks and traffic-calming elements have been implemented, “in Zuaza there are no sidewalks or speed bumps to protect pedestrians,” they emphasize.
They also point out that the passage of the school bus is just one of the existing risk situations. “The daily coexistence between different road users generates numerous incidents and a constant perception of insecurity among residents; and when accidents or maintenance work occur on the road, the repairs carried out do not always incorporate safety improvement criteria and, at times, encourage higher circulation speeds,” they add.
In this regard, they consider it necessary to address this issue from an integral perspective, prioritizing the safety of residents and daily road users.
Therefore, they request that the Provincial Council of Álava study and implement a series of actions. These include installing specific signage warning of the danger on the road section corresponding to Zuaza; establishing a speed limit adapted to the environment and the usual presence of pedestrians and cyclists; prohibiting overtaking along the entire stretch that crosses the aforementioned town; and evaluating the installation of section speed cameras or other effective speed control systems.
Additionally, they ask for an analysis of measures to encourage the use of the A-68 as an alternative route for through traffic, such as eliminating tolls for heavy traffic, thereby reducing traffic intensity through the Zuaza nucleus. They also propose reviewing the existing toll system, considering the removal of the toll gates at Arrankudiaga or, alternatively, adopting solutions that prevent traffic diversion onto this local road.
“Improving safety on the Zuaza road is an urgent necessity to protect residents and users of this route. Therefore, we request that this petition be addressed and that the necessary actions be planned in collaboration with the residents, ensuring transparency and citizen participation,” they add.
For the time being, the A-3641 road between Ibaguen and Zuaza will be closed to traffic next Monday, June 29th, from 07:30 to 18:30, due to asphalting and road surface reinforcement works. The closure will occur between kilometer points (PK) 48+500 (intersection with the A-624 or Ibaguen crossing) and 50+200 (intersection with the A-3624 or Esquina Abajo crossing).
Vehicle and bicycle circulation will be prohibited in the affected section. From Okondo, it is recommended to use alternative routes and respect the temporary signage at all times. The Ayala City Council, for its part, has announced that residents of Zuaza will be allowed passage at PK 50+210.
