The solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, will generate extraordinary traffic in Catalonia. The Catalan Traffic Service (SCT) and the Mossos d’Esquadra have coordinated a special operation involving 700 officers to manage travel to the main viewing areas: the Terres de l’Ebre, the Camp de Tarragona, and Ponent.
Alternative Routes to the AP-7
The AP-7 highway will be the main transportation route throughout the day, but the SCT recommends spreading out travel across other roads depending on the destination. For the Ponent regions, take the C-25 and A-2; for Lleida, Borges Blanques, Valls, or Prades, take the AP-2; and for travel between Camp de Tarragona and the Terres de l’Ebre, take the A-7 and N-340. A significant increase in traffic is also expected on secondary roads such as the A-27, the N-240, the T-11, and the N-420.
Restrictions for heavy vehicles
Heavy goods vehicles, special transport vehicles, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials will not be permitted to travel on the AP-7 between Martorell and Ulldecona in the southbound direction, nor on the N-340 between Vilafranca del Penedès and Alcanar, also in the southbound direction, between 5:00 p.m. and midnight.
In addition, all freight vehicles and buses with a maximum authorized mass of 7,500 kg or more must use the right lane, are prohibited from passing, and must not exceed a speed of 80 km/h on the AP-7 in both directions between Ulldecona and El Vendrell from 2:00 p.m. to midnight.
700 officers and aerial resources
The Mossos d’Esquadra’s operation will include 180 traffic specialists deployed at the access points to the viewing areas. The situation will be monitored from the Operational Coordination Center (CECOR), located in the 112 building in Reus, which has the capacity to make real-time decisions. Aerial surveillance will focus particularly on the AP-7 as it crosses the Ebro River.
Hottest spots: Ebro Delta and Prades
The Ebro Delta is one of the locations expected to see the highest number of visitors. Specific traffic regulations will be in place at the entrances to municipalities such as l’Ampolla, l’Aldea, Deltebre, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Amposta, and la Ràpita. In Prades, the municipality has designated parking areas and walking routes to the viewing spots, and traffic will also be regulated in Alforja and Vilanova de Prades.
Recommendations for drivers
SCT Director Ramon Lamiel has emphasized the importance of not stopping or parking on the roads: “We will be very strict at the roadside to ensure people do not stop on the shoulder.” Authorities recommend planning your route in advance, checking traffic conditions before setting out, using designated parking areas, and always prioritizing official road signs over GPS directions.
