The Ministry of Development, Territorial Articulation, and Housing has tendered for almost half a million euros the improvement works of road safety to reduce the risk of Iberian lynx being run over in various sections of the A-431, A-432, and A-455 roads, in the provinces of Córdoba and Seville. The measures will focus mainly on the installation of over 15 kilometers of fencing and alternative crossings, as well as signage to warn of the presence of these felines. The Andalusian Government is launching this contract through the European project LIFE LYNXCONNECT, which aims to ensure genetic connection between Iberian lynx populations in the Iberian Peninsula.
The Minister of Development, Territorial Articulation, and Housing, Rocío Díaz, has defended the new actions taken to «protect this endangered species in various sections of Andalusian roads owned by the autonomous community», where an increasing presence of this animal has been detected and where the aim is to reduce the risk of road accidents. These roads are the A-431, between Almodóvar del Río and Posadas, in the province of Córdoba, and the A-432, between Cantillana and El Pedroso, and the A-455, between Lora del Río and Constantina, both in Seville.
The tendered contract has a six-month execution period and includes a series of measures aimed at preventing fauna from accessing the road, facilitating their safe crossing, and alerting drivers to the possible presence of these animals. In total, over 15 kilometers of fencing are planned, along with the installation of escape ramps, gates, informative panels, improved drainage passages (ODT), and the deployment of luminous alert systems and specific vertical signage.
A virtual fence will also be installed on these roads. These elements consist of a series of light and sound emitters that, combined with the road posts, are automatically activated when an animal is near the road while a car approaches at high speed. The purpose of the device is, on one hand, to deter the animal from crossing the road, and on the other hand, to warn the driver of the risk of collision. For their operation, the fences use solar energy, making them an example of sustainable use of natural resources.
In the case of the A-431 section in Córdoba, 9,700 linear meters of physical fencing and 4,700 meters of virtual fencing will be installed. Additionally, six warning signs, two gates, and two cleanings of drainage passages will be carried out to facilitate the safe movement of fauna.
On the other hand, the A-455 section, between Lora del Río and Constantina, will have 5,600 meters of fencing, four escape ramps, four gates, and four informative panels. Finally, on the A-432 section, between Cantillana and El Pedroso, the project includes a virtual fence of 4,000 meters, cleaning of five drainage passages, and the installation of four vertical signs along a 5,000-meter stretch.
The base tender budget amounts to 431,234 euros and is financed by the LIFE program. Companies interested in carrying out these works have until July 4 to submit their bids for this contract.
This project reflects the commitment of the Andalusian Government to the conservation policies of protected species and road safety. Thanks to initiatives like this, the Ministry of Development is successfully developing infrastructures that not only protect the wild fauna of the Andalusian territory but also significantly improve the safety of drivers traveling on these roads.
