Gillian Keller
HOURS before the official opening, the Sóller tunnel was opened with free access for all.
A ceremonial opening with President Francina Armengol and Consell President Miquel Ensenyat was planned for 11pm, with a coach bus passing as the first free customer.
Instead, the company in charge of the tunnel opened the gates at 2:30pm, allowing for hours of free passengers. The move is said to have been to test the tension between administrators Globalvia and the politicians who agreed to bail out the concession almost five years early.
The tunnel’s administrators argue that a midnight opening was complicated and an early opening was easier for everyone.
The Sóller tunnel was inaugurated in 1997 under President Jaume Matas.
