A series of mini explosions have been planned for the A-397 in a bid to clear the tonnes of debris that continue to block the road.
The vital route has been closed for weeks following a landslide during the deadly Storm Jana in March.
Several tonnes of boulders and dirt fell onto the road, which authorities have been working to remove ever since.
The provincial government is working around the clock to repair the route that is typically used by thousands of drivers each day.
The A-397 offers a vital connection between the the Costa del Sol (Marbella) and the historic city of Ronda.
Not only is it used by thousands of commuters but also trucks and lorries making deliveries.
As concerns grow over the economic impact of its closure, the Junta de Andalucia has announced that a series of ‘mini explosions’ will begin this month in a bid to dislodge several large boulders.
It comes after workers have been painstakingly removing most of the dirt by hand because the terrain is too steep for heavy machinery – in a process branded ‘tremendously complex’.
According to the Junta, the use of explosives requires a complicated system of approvals, due to both the nature of the material and the precision needed in such a volatile setting.
Only certified artillery specialists are authorised to load the charges, while drilling work – already completed – was carried out by rope-access technicians dangling high above the road.
A specialist company will carry out the controlled explosions and has already submitted the relevant paperwork to the Malaga government – which officials are reportedly fast-tracking for approval.
Once the slope is fully stabilised, attention will turn to the final stage: repairing the viaduct and reopening the road.
