The Provincial Council of Almería has finished the rehabilitation of the road connecting the Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory with the municipalities of Gérgal, Bacares, and Olula de Castro, via the regional road A-1178. This artery, frequently used by locals and visitors, will host the finish of the twelfth stage of ‘La Vuelta’ 2026 on September 3rd.
The project, which enhances communication and safety in the area, will see its official debut when the peloton rides over the renewed surface in the climax of one of ‘La Vuelta’'s most challenging and anticipated stages. With its finish line at over 2,100 meters above sea level, Calar Alto will be this year's highest finish.
The president of the Provincial Council, José Antonio García Alcaina, accompanied by the mayors of Bacares (Encarnación María Zaguirre), Olula de Castro (Isabel Nieto), and Gérgal (Antonia Contreras), along with the Sustainability delegate, José Juan Martínez, and the Observatory Director, Jesús Aceituno, visited the road to inspect the work's results. This improvement facilitates access to a key scientific zone in the province.
The works, funded by a provincial investment of 340,000 euros, cover a 4.15-kilometer stretch of road, 5.70 meters wide, which was significantly deteriorated. A new 5 cm asphalt layer has been applied, and the drainage system has been improved with mechanical reshaping of 9,000 meters of ditches to channel water, alongside a complete repainting of road markings.
José Antonio García Alcaina highlighted the project's significance for two key reasons: facilitating access and safety to the observatory, a European benchmark with clear skies and a pillar of industrial tourism; and the debut of the renewed road surface with the finish of stage 12 of La Vuelta, one of the edition's toughest.
The president emphasized that the work is crucial for tourism and sports, connecting the territory and improving the communication network for Gérgal, Bacares, and Olula de Castro, reinforcing the Council's commitment to its municipalities.
The race's arrival will allow millions of viewers to witness the improved road, the renovation of which had already been planned by the Provincial Council of Almería before Calar Alto was confirmed as a stage finish.
The Director of the Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory thanked the Provincial Council of Almería and the involved town councils for their efforts, stating the road is now befitting the international prestige of the center, considered the most important in continental Europe.
The mayor of Olula de Castro, Isabel Nieto, expressed gratitude for the efficient and swift execution of the work, underscoring the importance of infrastructure improvements for residents and visitors.
The mayor of Gérgal conveyed satisfaction with the project's completion, noting its positive outcome and timely arrival with La Vuelta's passage, representing a significant advancement for the area's communications.
The mayor of Bacares, Zaguirre, highlighted the improvement's appeal for tourism, science, and research, particularly benefiting local workers with enhanced safety for their commutes.
Stage 12 of La Vuelta, a mountain stage, will cover 167 km with over 4,500 meters of cumulative elevation gain, challenging riders with four climbs before the summit finish at Calar Alto. It is positioned as one of the toughest stages in the global cycling calendar.
The competition boasts significant media coverage, broadcast in 190 countries to millions of viewers worldwide. Last year's event saw over 1,200 accredited journalists and 654 media outlets, achieving a record 572 million video views on official platforms.
