Everything you need to know for the Immaculate Conception long weekend: peak hours, checkpoints and restrictions due to the plague
The Catalan government expects 460,000 vehicles to leave Barcelona and reminds the public of the restrictions in the 91 municipalities affected by African swine fever (ASF).
BarcelonaThe long weekend for the Immaculate Conception holiday begins this Friday in a somewhat exceptional situation due to the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Catalonia. Restrictions due to the disease in a total of 91 municipalities The surroundings of Collserola Park influence the activities that can be carried out in the natural area, although in the Pyrenees Ski resorts are expecting a few days of peak tourist activity. of visitors. The Catalan Traffic Service (STC) expects up to 460,000 vehicles to leave the Barcelona area during this period and has issued a series of recommendations regarding mobility. We've compiled the main information to keep in mind to enjoy the long weekend.
Rush Hours and Traffic Jams
On what will be the first long weekend since summer, the first thing to keep in mind is peak traffic. The outbound traffic will run from 3 p.m. this Friday until the same time on Saturday, while the return traffic – with an expected 250,000 vehicles returning to the Barcelona area – will begin at noon on Monday and last until midnight. The Director of Traffic, Ramon Lamiel, appealed for caution to prevent accidents. It should be noted that the long weekend coincides with an increase in commercial traffic for the Christmas holidays, both from consumers and delivery drivers, and is considered the start of winter travel, with more vehicles heading to inland destinations further north in the country. at ski resortsIn this regard, disruptions are expected around shopping centers and Christmas markets, such as the Espinelves Fir Tree Fair and the Vic Medieval Market, which will mainly affect the C-17 and C-25 highways. Traffic jams are also expected on the N-145 and N-260 for access to Andorra.
Checkpoints and speed cameras
The Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) will deploy 1,425 officers and conduct up to 910 checks on main and secondary roads: 293 for alcohol and drugs, 165 for distracted driving, 129 for passive safety, 128 for motorcycles, 123 for speeding, and 72 for transport vehicles. Three mobile speed cameras will also be operational on the A-2 and AP-7 highways along the Ebro River. In fact, on the AP-7, the reduced speed limit southbound comes into effect this Friday, to 100 km/h for general vehicles and 80 km/h for trucks. Additionally, the Catalan Traffic Service and the Catalan police will have two radar-equipped helicopters and a small plane, all with cameras to broadcast live traffic incidents. In La Seu d'Urgell and Bellver de Cerdanya, mobile information panels will be installed to indicate the best route back from the Pyrenees.
Special lanes and limitations
To improve traffic flow, both during the departure and return journeys, the Traffic Department will implement special measures, such as contraflow lanes, lane closures, merging lanes, access closures, and shoulder markings, among others. There will also be restrictions on truck traffic on several roads this Friday, Saturday morning, Sunday, and Monday afternoon.
Restrictions on the natural environment
When choosing a destination, this year special attention must be paid to restrictions due to African swine fever. The Generalitat This Friday, the ban on leisure activities was extended. in the natural environment within the 91 municipalities included in the restricted area [see infographic below]. In these locations, as in the entirety of Collserola Park, leisure activities (walking, running, cycling), hunting, and forestry activities are prohibited within areas designated as natural environments.
This refers to wooded areas; riverbeds and streams; meadows and cultivated fields; and parks and paths outside urban areas, in addition to natural parks. The Catalan government, appealing to the individual responsibility of citizens, clarified that academic activity at the Autonomous University (in Cerdanyola del Vallès, where the outbreak began) and the operation of restaurants, riding stables, sports centers, and other businesses located in natural areas within the affected municipalities remain permitted.