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Spanish Court Orders AP‑9 Operator to Refund Half of Tolls for Work-Related Jams

The court tied refunds to DGT-rated congestion plus poor communication, creating a template now invoked on the AP‑66.

Overview

  • Audiencia Provincial de A Coruña ruled that Audasa must return 50% of tolls to plaintiffs for days when AP‑9 works from 2015 to 2018 severely disrupted traffic.
  • The refund applies only to dates the DGT classified as black, red or yellow, reflecting degraded service rather than the mere presence of construction.
  • Judges cited a breach of contractual balance, noting users paid full price despite deficient or chaotic service and a lack of adequate warnings about delays or alternatives.
  • A DGT report documented 81 affected time slots during the works, evidence the court used to support partial reimbursement.
  • The decision is not final and may be appealed to the Supreme Court, while DGT-documented jams on the AP‑66 have been brought to court to seek similar remedies against Aucalsa.