Malaga industrial estates: businesses demand road upgrades Malaga industrial estates call on local authorities for urgent road infrastructure upgrades and firm timetables as Costco opening threatens gridlock. Business Association Calls for Firm Timetables on Road Access Projects Business owners across Malaga capital's industrial and commercial zones are demanding immediate action and binding timetables from public authorities to resolve chronic road congestion. The Association of Industrial and Commercial Parks of Malaga and Province, known as APOMA, issued a formal appeal on October 21, 2026, urging Malaga City Council and the Junta de Andalucía to coordinate infrastructure investments and fix bottlenecked entry points serving the city's key economic districts. APOMA represents commercial parks including El Viso, Guadalhorce, San Luis, and La Estrella, which together host more than 4,000 active businesses and generate tens of thousands of local jobs. Representatives from the business association expressed frustration over years of pending road improvements, stating that recurring traffic gridlock along major arterial routes threatens logistics operations, increases transport costs, and dampens commercial productivity across the Guadalhorce industrial corridor. Impending Retail Expansion Heightens Concerns Over Traffic Gridlock The urgency of the business sector's demand is driven by the upcoming opening of a new Costco wholesale store within the Málaga Nostrum commercial area. Local business leaders warn that the introduction of the large-scale retail operator will generate thousands of additional daily vehicular trips, compounding existing congestion along Avenida de Velázquez and connecting roundabouts. APOMA highlighted that without pre-emptive road improvements, the surge in customer traffic heading to the retail site will overwhelm surrounding infrastructure. Delivery fleets, heavy transport trucks, and local commuters already face daily delays during peak hours, and business owners fear that unmanaged commercial growth will paralyse movement across the western industrial zone of Malaga capital. Key Infrastructure Projects Awaiting Construction Commitments The business association has outlined specific priority infrastructure projects that require immediate administrative commitment and budget allocation. Chief among these demands is the complete dual-carriageway expansion of Avenida Ortega y Gasset, a vital arterial connection that carries heavy traffic between urban neighbourhoods and industrial hubs. Additionally, APOMA is pressing regional and municipal authorities to complete the Western Metropolitan Arterial Road, known as the Vial Metropolitano Oeste, and construct dedicated direct access ramps linking the A-7 highway with the A-7054 road. Business leaders stress that these long-designed connections are essential to divert heavy transport vehicles away from urban bottlenecks and provide direct flow into the Guadalhorce industrial estate. Municipal Leadership Agrees to Formal Coordination Meetings In response to the public stance taken by APOMA, Malaga Mayor Francisco de la Torre and municipal department leaders from Urban Planning, Mobility, and Economic Development acknowledged the concerns raised by the business community. Town Hall officials agreed to set up technical working sessions with APOMA leaders to evaluate traffic management options and review current project schedules. While the commitment to dialogue has been welcomed, APOMA leaders maintain that verbal assurances must be backed by concrete execution dates, clear budgetary allocations, and smooth cooperation between city planners and regional government departments. Ensuring efficient road access to Malaga's industrial zones remains essential to maintaining the province's economic momentum and supporting its commercial workforce. Broader Economic Significance of Malaga's Industrial Zones Malaga's industrial and logistical estates serve as the primary distribution hub for consumer goods, construction materials, and commercial services across the entire Costa del Sol. Delays in upgrading road networks affect not only localized industrial parks but also regional supply chains serving hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments along the coast. Business representatives note that modernizing industrial infrastructure is essential to support ongoing economic diversification in Malaga province. As the city positions itself as an international business hub, maintaining smooth transport links between industrial estates, Malaga Airport, and the port of Malaga remains vital for sustained regional development and job creation.