Barcelona, April 5th – Roads in Catalonia, particularly around Barcelona, experienced significant traffic congestion this Sunday afternoon as holidaymakers returned from the Easter break. The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) reported increased circulation on major routes, with similar issues observed across Spain, especially on roads leading to Madrid.
Barcelona Experiences Growing Traffic as Easter Operation Nears End
The DGT confirmed that traffic began to build up in Barcelona on Sunday afternoon. Specifically, the AP-7 at Castellet i la Gornal and the A-2 in Jorba saw significant delays, both heading towards the Catalan capital. This surge in traffic is part of the ‘Operación Retorno de Semana Santa’ (Easter Return Operation), which commenced on March 27th and concludes at midnight on Monday.
Beyond Barcelona, Tarragona also experienced dense traffic on the AP-2 in Montblanc, heading towards the city. These local complications mirror a broader national trend, with six main arteries leading to Madrid reporting slow-moving traffic due to the influx of returning travelers.
National Picture: Delays Across Spain
While Barcelona faced its own challenges, the DGT also highlighted several other critical points across Spain:
- A-1: Cerezo de Abajo (Segovia)
- A-3: Rivas (Madrid), Moltalbo and Villares del Saz (Cuenca)
- A-31: La Roda (Albacete)
- A-4: La Carolina, Despeñaperros (Jaén), and Madridejos (Toledo)
- A-5: Valmojado and Talavera de la Reina (Toledo)
- A-6: Rueda, Tordesillas (Valladolid), and Villalpando (Zamora)
Additionally, Pontevedra experienced difficulties at the entrance via the AP-9 in Redondela. In Jaén, the A-4 in Guarromán was affected in both directions, and in Seville, the AP-4 in Las Cabezas de San Juan saw heavy traffic towards the Andalusian capital.
17 Million Movements Expected During Easter Period
This Easter period was projected to see approximately 17 million displacements, representing the largest short-term exodus of vehicles in the year. The DGT had previously urged drivers to exercise extreme caution on the roads, emphasizing the importance of avoiding distractions, especially mobile phones, maintaining adequate safety distances and speeds, and always using seatbelts and child restraint systems.
DGT’s Ongoing Warnings and Safety Advice
The DGT’s warnings remained pertinent throughout the return operation, aiming to mitigate risks associated with the high volume of traffic. Despite the congestion, authorities continued to monitor the situation closely, deploying resources to manage traffic flow and respond to any incidents.
The successful conclusion of the Easter Return Operation relies heavily on driver cooperation and adherence to traffic regulations, ensuring a safe journey for all travelers returning home after their holidays.
Source: https://www.larazon.es/sociedad/complicaciones-madrid-aumento-trafico-barcelona-vuelta-semana-santa_2026040569d287f86b2f883592618360.html
