A multi-vehicle collision involving three lorries, a van, and five cars caused significant disruption on the AP-7 motorway near Barberà del Vallès earlier today. The incident, which occurred before 13:00, led to extensive 11-kilometre tailbacks in both directions, severely impacting traffic flow for hours.
Major Traffic Disruption
The Catalan Traffic Service (Servei Català de Trànsit) reported the accident via social media at 12:52. Officials closed two lanes towards Barcelona at Barberà del Vallès. This closure directly caused the long queues. By 13:12, the lanes remained closed. Tailbacks increased, also affecting traffic towards Girona due to the "gawker effect," according to Traffic officials. This effect describes drivers slowing down to look at an accident on the opposite carriageway.
AP-7's Critical Role
The AP-7 is a critical motorway for Catalonia. It connects Barcelona with other major cities across the region and Spain. It serves as a key route for both daily commuters and freight transport. Barberà del Vallès, a municipality in the Barcelona metropolitan area, experiences heavy daily traffic volumes. The accident caused congestion between Montmeló and Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, a particularly busy stretch of the AP-7. This disruption significantly affected residents commuting to work and tourists travelling through the region.
Resumption of Normal Traffic
Normal circulation resumed in the section near Santa Perpètua de Mogoda at 19:04. However, the Catalan Traffic Service had not confirmed full normalisation for the entire affected stretch by the time of the report. Drivers should check for updates on traffic conditions before travelling on this route.
Come and join our Barcelona English Speakers community on WhatsApp.
Originally published by 20 Minutos Barcelona. Read original article.
