Nighttime Renewal of the Ma-1: Paguera–Andratx — Necessary Intervention or Too High a Price for Residents?

The central question: Does it have to be at night — and who pays?

From October the construction vehicles will roll along the coast: the Ma-1 between Paguera and Puerto de Andratx will be resurfaced for about eleven kilometers. Hand on heart — the road was due. Potholes, patchwork repairs and vegetation at the roadside have put many shock absorbers to the test this summer. Still, the question remains: Is night work the lesser evil, or will the neighbourhood mainly pay the price for smooth daytime traffic?

What exactly is planned

The island administration is taking on the measure costing around €6.4 million for the Peguera–Port d'Andratx road. Asphalt work is planned primarily at night in order not to block daytime traffic: closures on weekdays from 23:00 to 05:00, total construction time about six months with a target of May 2026, a schedule discussed in Nighttime Renovation of the Ma-1 at Andratx. During the day the Ma-1 will remain open — but not the site lighting, the running machines and detours.

Who will feel the effects first?

Residents along the route and small businesses in the harbour are the immediate affected parties. I imagined how it sounds: the hum of the rollers against the night sea breeze, brakes, the voices of the workers, the muffled thud when compacting — sounds that arrive differently at three in the morning than during the day. For hoteliers and restaurateurs on the promenades this can mean sleepless nights for guests. The upside: a smoother road for buses and delivery vehicles, fewer breakdowns for springtime visitors.

Aspects that are rarely discussed

A few points that often get lost in public debate: How well will night work be technically mitigated? What consideration will be given to weekends or public holidays? Is there a limit to how many consecutive nights individual residents will be exposed to noise? And: how do the heating and off-gassing of fresh asphalt mixes in the narrow harbour areas affect air quality and odour nuisance?

Concrete opportunities and approaches

The renovation makes sense — but there is room to make it more socially acceptable. A few proposals that could be implemented relatively quickly:

1. Noise windows and rotation: No continuous nights at the same spot; a maximum of three consecutive nights with work directly in front of residential buildings.

2. Low-noise technology: Use of damped rollers, electric machines where possible, and special asphalt mixes that can be laid at lower temperatures.

3. Communication and transparency: Early, detailed closure plans, daily information by SMS and notices in the affected towns. Those who know exactly when work will take place can plan better — from taxi drivers to hotel receptionists.

4. Compensation and support: Subsidies for noise-reducing windows for particularly affected households, flexible delivery times for harbour businesses, and clear contacts for complaints.

5. Environmental monitoring: Measurement points for fine dust and odour at particularly sensitive locations such as the ports of Andratx and Peguera.

Tips for residents and night owls

Practically this means: allow more time for evening trips, check bus schedules, adjust routes when detours are signposted. If you are a light sleeper: bring earplugs or talk to the landlord about possible room-swapping options. Businesses should now communicate with suppliers and guests — a friendly notice about construction times saves frustration later.

Looking ahead

The finish line is clear: a better, safer Ma-1 by early summer 2026. Whether the route there is fair depends not only on technology but above all on organisation and communication. If those responsible now adopt the measures mentioned, the nightly intervention can be mitigated socially and ecologically. If they do not, trouble and long debates are likely — and all this for a road that is supposed to connect: villages, ports, people.

For us the task remains: stay alert. I will continue to listen, report and follow up on site — between the hum of the machines and the morning breeze over Puerto de Andratx.