Por Redaccion 
The Ministry of Development, Territorial Articulation, and Housing has tendered for nearly half a million euros the road safety improvement works 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 implementing this contract through the European project LIFE LYNXCONNECT, which aims to ensure genetic connectivity between Iberian lynx populations on the Iberian Peninsula.
The Minister of Development, Territorial Articulation, and Housing, Rocío Díaz, has defended the new actions taken to «protect this endangered species on various regional roads where an increasing presence of this animal has been detected, aiming to reduce the risk of 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 wildlife access to the roadway, facilitating safe crossings, 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, information panels, drainage passage (ODT) improvements, and the deployment of luminous alert systems and specific vertical signage.
These roads will also have a virtual fencing system installed. These elements consist of a series of light and sound emitters that, connected to the road posts, activate automatically when an animal is near the road at the same time a car is approaching 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 alert the driver of the risk of collision. For 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 drainage passage cleanings will be carried out to facilitate safe wildlife movement.
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 information panels. Finally, on the A-432 section, between Cantillana and El Pedroso, the project includes 4,000 meters of virtual fencing, 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 funded by the LIFE program. Companies interested in carrying out these works have until July 4th 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 succeeding in 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.