The Servei Català de Trànsit (SCT) anticipates 580,000 vehicles will leave the Barcelona metropolitan area for the May Day long weekend. This significant exodus, starting on Thursday, 29th April, and concluding on Sunday, 3rd May, will impact major road networks across Catalonia.
The Catalan traffic authority also predicts 280,000 vehicles will return to the city during the same holiday period. Such high traffic volumes frequently lead to substantial delays and congestion on key routes, affecting thousands of residents and visitors. To manage this, the Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's police force, will deploy 1,365 officers. They will conduct 1,020 controls across both major and secondary roads. These controls will target alcohol and drugs, passive safety, driver distractions, and speed, alongside specific checks for motorcycles and transport vehicles, all aimed at enhancing road safety.
Managing Peak Traffic Volumes
The SCT has planned special measures to manage the expected high traffic volume. These include installing additional lanes for Sunday's return journey, a common strategy to ease congestion. These lanes will appear on the AP-7 motorway between Vilafranca and Molins, a busy stretch connecting Barcelona to the south. Another additional lane will be between Sant Celoni and Montornès del Vallès, serving traffic from the north. The C-32 motorway will also see an extra lane, connecting Sant Andreu de Llavaneres and Montgat along the coast, which is a popular coastal route. These sections are known for heavy congestion during peak travel times, affecting thousands of residents and tourists travelling to and from coastal areas and inland destinations.
Restrictions for Heavy Vehicles
Restrictions will also apply to heavy goods vehicles during the long weekend. Lorries with a maximum authorised mass over 7,500 kilograms cannot use the AP-7 on Sunday. This restriction applies specifically between Maçanet de la Selva in Girona and L'Hospitalet de l'Infant in Tarragona. It will be in effect in both directions from 17:00 to 22:00. Additionally, these heavy vehicles must use the right-hand lane only and cannot overtake other vehicles, measures designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for lighter vehicles.
The SCT advises drivers to exercise extreme caution, especially when travelling through Central Catalonia, where conditions can be challenging. Intense rain is forecast for Thursday, which could further complicate road conditions. Drivers should check traffic updates and weather forecasts before starting their journeys to ensure a safer trip.
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Originally published by Europa Press Barcelona. Read original article.
