Summer in Barcelona runs on its own schedule. When the heat lets up, the city empties out, and the roar of engines fades; the asphalt takes the opportunity to transform under the stars. Starting this Monday, July 20, and through August 6, the Ronda de Dalt will implement nighttime traffic closures Monday through Thursday, halting vehicle traffic on the section between exits five and six.
The goal of these closures, which will force drivers to use the road’s shoulder lanes, is to make progress on the complex work to cover the infrastructure. Taking advantage of the decrease in summer traffic and the cover of night, the heavy slabs that will serve as the foundation for the future roof deck will be installed; a structural operation that would be completely impossible to carry out while the ring road is open to daytime traffic.
As summer progresses, the work will intensify and require extra effort on the part of drivers. According to the construction schedule, from August 3 through August 24, the plan will include an additional restriction: one right-hand traffic lane will be closed in both directions. This temporary narrowing of the roadway is directly linked to the work of installing the new pavement.
From Highway to Green Space
All these summer inconveniences are part of a larger plan designed to heal an old urban divide. The covering of the Ronda de Dalt is the direct result of a long and tireless campaign by residents of the nearby neighborhoods, who had been calling for years to reclaim this space.
In total, the traffic-calming project will create 340 meters of new space dedicated to green areas and public enjoyment, of which 200 meters have already been completed. To see the final result, a little patience will still be required: forecasts indicate that construction of the canopy itself will continue throughout 2027, with the final landscaping work—which will bring the area to life—scheduled for 2028.
