Negrón Tunnel

The Negrón Tunnel (Túnel del Negrón) is an automotive tunnel which connects the provinces of Asturias and León in Northern Spain. The tunnel is 4144 m long and reaches a height of 1229 m.

The tunnel is in the toll highway AP-66, which is part of the Autovía A-66, one of the longest highways in Spain. The tunnel provides an alternate route to the Puerto de Pajares, a mountain pass that is considered dangerous for motorists.

History
Initially, the first roadway was planned with a cost of 19.5 million pesetas, but it rose to 70 million due to several unexpected problems in the terrain. This one was started in 1976 and gave work to 1,300 people during several years. The first of the two projected tunnels was opened in 1983 and worked provisionally as a single carriageway road.

Works ended in 1997, with the opening of the second roadway in June 1997, which had 4144 m length and costed 7.443m pesetas.

Since its opening, the AP-66 is the main connection between Asturias and León.