Drivers returning to the Barcelona metropolitan area on Sunday 27 September are expected to face the heaviest traffic between 16:30 and 20:30, when the Servei Català de Trànsit (SCT), Catalonia’s traffic authority, forecasts about 270,000 vehicles will be travelling back towards the city.
The warning matters particularly to residents and visitors driving home after the La Mercè holiday weekend, as the SCT has identified three roads where queues are more likely. Planning a journey outside the forecast peak remains the clearest option for avoiding the busiest period.
Roads expected to be busiest on Sunday afternoon
- The C-16 near Berga.
- The C-55 at Castellgalí.
- The C-65 at Llagostera.
The SCT’s special traffic operation remains in place until Sunday. It estimated that almost half a million vehicles left the Barcelona metropolitan area after the operation began at midday on Tuesday 23 September.
Friday crashes caused long AP-7 queues
Friday morning’s incidents showed the disruption possible on the AP-7. A collision involving a motorcycle and a lorry at Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, in Vallès Occidental, closed the motorway towards Tarragona and led to diversions via exit 145, according to 3CatInfo, citing the SCT.
Traffic later reopened, but queues reached 11.5 kilometres. Five fire engines attended the scene.
A separate vehicle fire on the AP-7 at Avinyonet del Penedès, in Alt Penedès, also caused queues of up to 10 kilometres before traffic was restored. Drivers travelling on Sunday should allow extra time on the C-16, C-55 and C-65 and follow traffic-authority instructions if congestion develops.
Primary sources: transportes.gob.es. Reported by elperiodico.com, 3CatInfo, El Nacional, La Vanguardia, CatalunyaPress.cat, El Periódico Barcelona.
