We have often wondered in the Community of Madrid where the M-30 starts. This ring road is one of the most popular in the country and functions as a link between Madrid and the nearby cities, with thousands of motorists driving every day along its many kilometres.
The M-30 runs through Madrid, surrounds the central districts and connects with the main national radial roads that start in the capital of the country, as well as other highways such as the A-42, the M-607, the M-11 and the M-500; and many other interior streets. As for its shape, it is similar to that of a diamond, with three clearly differentiated sectors which correspond to its historical evolution.
On the one hand, the east sector or La Paz Avenue runs southbound, in a stretch that includes the beginning of the Burgos Road (A1) until the Nudo Sur (South Junction), where the A-4 starts. It is a surface layout, with wide ramps to exit or incorporate the motorway, such as Puente de Ventas.
On the other hand, the west sector runs northbound along the Manzanares River as far as the link of El Pardo. The stretch that comprises the link with the A-5 at kilometre 19 is built completely underground, which nowadays is covered by the Madrid Río park area on the surface.
The north sector comprises of the link of El Pardo, through the Ilustración Avenue to the Manoteras junction, and connects with the A-1, the M-11 and the Paseo de la Castellana. Near the link of El Pardo, and towards the Manoteras junction, the M-30 has highway features, shaped as a trench, whereas the Ilustración Avenue is regulated by traffic lights.
But this bypass also has other points of direct connection between the east and west sectors to prevent the South Junction from waves of traffic jams as we drive through the urban area, but without leaving the highway aside. That is, there is an underground link in all its length below the city centre, whose road works are still remembered by residents, in which the tunnel boring machines made their way underneath the central streets of Madrid.
On the other hand, this famous ring road passes nearby some historical places of the city such as Torrespaña communications tower, also known as ‘el Pirulí’; the commonly known as ‘Ruedo de la M-30’, which is an apartment building in Moratalaz and attributed to the architect Francisco Javier Sáenz de Olza; the mosque of the M-30; the funeral home of the M-30; or the Vicente Calderón stadium, which has a special charm as the ring road runs under one of its stands.
In this way, the M-30 is an important link between a large number of roads in Madrid, with thousands of vehicles entering and exiting every day. In addition, it is a ring road with something special, since it has different underground and surface sections that cover from the most remote areas of the city centre to the arteries of the best situated areas of the capital of Spain.
In short, if you need to come to Madrid or leave the city, driving on this road will make your journey easier and faster.
