High above us, the Nudo de Manoteras sprawls. It is a concrete symphony of roads. Before us lies a crucial intersection. It is not just a junction. It is a testament to Madrid’s ever-evolving story.
Let’s delve into the history of this area. We begin our journey back in July 1807. At that time various lands between Chamartín Hortaleza and Fuencarral were auctioned off. “Las Manoteras” was mentioned among them. So, the name “Manoteras” has quite some history.
But what exactly were Las Manoteras? It must have been one of the small valleys. These valleys were hidden among the gentle hills south of Fuencarral. They were also north of Hortaleza. The old road of Las Manoteras corresponds to today’s Avenida de Manoteras. It started from the road from Fuencarral to Hortaleza near Fuencarral’s town. It went to a valley with orchards. The Fuente road also ended there. The so-called houses of Las Manoteras settled at the crossing. This was the intersection of the road of Las Manoteras and the old road from Madrid to Alcobendas. This is exactly where Avenida de Manoteras begins today.
Now, fast forward to more recent times. The Nudo de Manoteras plays a vital role in Madrid’s transportation network. In fact, it is one of the most intensely trafficked spots in all of Spain. Over 270000 vehicles pass through it daily.
To alleviate traffic congestion in the north of the city, Madrid City Council began constructing a bus lane. This bus lane stretches from the roundabout on Avenida de San Luis to the intersection with the Fuencarral road in Las Tablas. The goal? Improve mobility, promote public transport and reduce travel times on the Autovía de Burgos.
In July 2022, a new connection to the A1 from the Isla de Chamartín came into operation. This area includes the triangle formed by the A1, the M11, and Avenida de Manoteras. This improvement was added to the new access. The access connects the M11 and this area since March.
The remodeling of the Nudo Norte also affected the Nudo de Manoteras. The accesses from Paseo de la Castellana towards the M-607 and the M-30 south were reconfigured. This aimed to eliminate road braiding that congested the area.
From July 28 to August 31, 2021, the M-30 section between the Nudo de Manoteras and the Nudo Norte was reduced from two lanes to one. This was in the direction of M-30 Avenida de la Ilustración M-607. This reduction coincided with a period of lower traffic intensity.
These works on the Nudo Norte also involved cutting off the branch. This branch led from Paseo de la Castellana towards the M-607 Avenida de la Ilustración. It was in the direction of Colmenar Viejo.
The Nudo Norte project will generate 348000 jobs. It will also have an economic impact of more than 15 billion.
The reform of the Nudo Norte eliminates the existing four crossings. These crossings cause loss of road capacity and major traffic jams. These four level crossings have been replaced by new grade-separated crossings. Three are lower and one is higher. The higher one is the M-607 with connection to Paseo de la Castellana.
As we stand here today, it’s amazing to think of the countless journeys taken. These journeys pass through the Nudo de Manoteras every single day. It serves as a crucial artery. It connects different parts of Madrid and beyond. It ensures the smooth flow of people and goods.
So next time you’re caught in traffic, remember the Nudo de Manoteras. Remember its history. Remember its importance.