Barcelona faced a chaotic morning on the roads this Thursday, 5 February, as severe congestion choked the city’s main access points. Commuters navigating the metropolitan area encountered more than 20 kilometres of combined queues, primarily affecting the major ring roads. These Barcelona traffic jams created significant disruption across the network.
The Catalan Traffic Service (Servei Català de Trànsit) reported significant delays on both the Ronda Litoral (B-10) and the Ronda de Dalt (B-20). These delays were exacerbated by an accident and ongoing mobility issues in the region.
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Barcelona traffic jams: Accident on the B-10 causes gridlock
The situation was particularly critical on the Ronda Litoral (B-10) following a road traffic accident near Montjuïc. The incident forced authorities to close one lane, triggering a bottleneck. Consequently, this resulted in more than 12 kilometres of tailbacks in the direction of Llobregat.
According to traffic officials, the queues extended along the entire coastal route as it passes through the city. They reached as far back as Santa Coloma de Gramenet.
Simultaneously, the Ronda de Dalt (B-20) struggled with immense traffic volume. Without a specific accident causing the delay, the road still accumulated over 10 kilometres of slow-moving traffic towards Llobregat. This affected the entirety of its route through the Catalan capital.
The ‘perfect storm’ for mobility
These incidents are occurring against a backdrop of severely strained mobility in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The ongoing Rodalies rail crisis has compelled many residents to abandon public transport in favour of private vehicles. Furthermore, weather forecasts predicting rain have likely contributed to an increased volume of cars on the road.
With alternative public transport options—such as buses replacing train lines—already saturated during peak hours, the pressure on the road network has reached a tipping point.
AP-7 complications continue
Adding to the regional complications is the continued closure of the AP-7 motorway near Martorell. This closure is necessary for repair works following the derailment of a Rodalies train on 20 January beneath the motorway.
On Wednesday, authorities had attempted to alleviate pressure by opening a specific lane between Martorell and Gelida exclusively for intercity buses and Renfe alternative service coaches. However, this measure was revoked on Thursday.
The Catalan Traffic Service confirmed that the road has been fully closed to all vehicles once again. The decision came after a safety breach on Wednesday afternoon. During this breach, two coaches ignored traffic restrictions and drove directly into the area where active repair work was being undertaken.
Officials noted that despite the lane being conveniently signposted to end at Gelida train station, the drivers failed to respect the limitations. This action compromised the safety of the work zone.
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