A serious lorry accident has caused major traffic disruption on Barcelona’s AP-7 motorway this Monday afternoon. The incident occurred near Barberà del Vallès when a scrap metal lorry overturned on the B-141 road above the motorway. Part of its metallic load fell onto the AP-7 below, blocking all southbound lanes completely for over an hour. Emergency services rushed to the scene following the 4:46pm alert. Fortunately, only one vehicle was affected by the falling debris. Moreover, no injuries were reported despite significant material damage.
Emergency Response and Cleanup Operation
Emergency teams worked quickly to manage the dangerous situation. The Catalan Fire Brigade secured the bridge structure first. Then they began removing the scattered scrap metal from the motorway. Meanwhile, medical services stood by although no injuries occurred. The Catalan Traffic Service coordinated road closures and diversions. Consequently, they advised drivers to avoid the affected area entirely. Cleanup operations continued throughout the late afternoon hours. Additionally, traffic authorities established alternative routes for stranded motorists.
The first lane reopened around 5:30pm towards Tarragona. However, two lanes remained closed for several more hours. Full reopening finally occurred at 7:10pm after thorough safety checks. Nevertheless, significant traffic backups persisted into the evening. The B-141 road above remained completely closed for structural assessment. Furthermore, emergency teams continued monitoring the bridge’s stability throughout the operation.
Ongoing Traffic Impacts and Commuter Advice
Traffic authorities reported lengthy delays in both directions hours after the incident. Southbound queues stretched for several kilometres during evening rush hour. Meanwhile, northbound traffic experienced over 7km of backups due to rubbernecking. The Mossos d’Esquadra managed traffic flow around the accident zone. Therefore, they recommended extreme caution for evening commuters. Our previous Barcelona traffic report covers regular congestion patterns.
Drivers faced considerable delays throughout the Valles Occidental area. Alternative routes through local roads became heavily congested too. The Traffic Service urged patience and careful driving near the cleanup operation. Additionally, they warned about potential temporary lane closures during final safety work. Many evening commuters experienced journey times double their usual duration. Consequently, authorities suggested public transport alternatives where possible.
The AP-7 motorway has now fully reopened to traffic. However, the B-141 overpass remains closed for structural inspection. Traffic authorities continue monitoring the situation for any further issues. Meanwhile, drivers should expect some residual delays during Tuesday morning’s commute. The investigation into the accident’s cause continues.
If you want news on a more convenient platform, you can follow us on Reddit, X or our WhatsApp broadcast channel.
