No trucks on the AP-7 and a large police deployment: this is how Catalonia is preparing to avoid mobility chaos due to the eclipse

It has been 121 years since Catalonia last saw a solar eclipse, and another 154 will have to pass until there is another one. Between 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM on August 12th, the southern strip of the country will experience a total eclipse. The Sun, however, will only be covered by the moon for a period of between 28 seconds and 1 minute and 32 seconds. In this interactive map, you can check how this phenomenon will be seen from your municipality.

But it is not only the eclipse that places Catalonia within a "key framework" of the international astronomy circuit, as explained this Friday by the Minister of Research and Universities, Núria Montserrat, but also the attraction of the phenomenon poses an organizational challenge due to the large deployment of people, from the country and from afar, who are expected to travel to see the eclipse. For this reason, the Servei Català de Trànsit has implemented various measures to regulate mobility on the 12th.

23 designated observation areas

In the plan, special attention has been paid to Terres de l'Ebre, Camp de Tarragona and Ponent, where the 18 municipalities with 23 total secure observation areas established by the Department of Research and Universities of the Generalitat with the help of the Rural Agents corps. These areas, especially Terres de l'Ebre, are already particularly busy in mid-August due to tourism. The fact that the eclipse can be observed from both land and sea makes it an area of special attraction.

The Government cannot know how many citizens will travel to see the eclipse, but the designated points will, in total, have the capacity to serve and provide parking for around 50,000 people and 20,000 vehicles. At these points, 150,000 approved glasses with ISO 12312-2 will be distributed to protect the eyes, as exposure to sunlight during the eclipse, especially when it is partial, can cause irreversible damage to the retina.

Restrictions on truck circulation

Between 2 PM on the 12th and 12 AM on the 13th, trucks will not be able to circulate southbound on the AP-7 between Martorell and Ulldecona, or on the N-340 from Vilafranca del Penedès to Ulldecona. The Catalan Traffic Service is in talks with the DGT to determine if this same restriction can be applied in the northbound direction on both roads. If it does not go ahead, trucks will have to drive at 80 km/h and in the right-hand lane, with no overtaking allowed.

Furthermore, although the AP-7 will be the main artery of movement for the day, alternative routes have been designated to avoid congestion in the hours before and after the eclipse. The Catalan Traffic Service recommends using the C-25 and A-2 for citizens traveling to the regions of Ponent, and the AP-2 for those going towards Lleida, Les Borges Blanques, Valls, and Prades. Regarding those heading to Terres de l'Ebre and Camp de Tarragona, the use of the A-7 and N-340 is recommended. Roadside agents will indicate both these alternative routes and the direction to the main access points to the observation sites.

The Generalitat is confident that arrival at the observation points will be staggered. Minister Montserrat has advised that those who can should take the opportunity to "arrive at the location a day or two before the eclipse." On the other hand, no return plan has been established once the event is over. However, what may facilitate a progressive de-escalation is the fact that the night coincides with the Perseid meteor shower, and some attendees are expected to decide to stay later to try and see the meteor shower.

700 officers and fire risk

In addition to the usual deployment, 200 officers from the Citizen Security Unit, 420 agents from the Regional Services, and 80 from the Central Service of the Mossos d'Esquadra will form part of a police operation that will begin the day before the eclipse to manage both mobility and the safety of attendees. From the Operational Coordination Center of Catalonia (CECAT) in Reus, the Generalitat's Civil Protection device will be established, where the actions of Rural Agents, Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalan Traffic Service, and the Medical Emergency System will be coordinated. As explained by the deputy director of Civil Protection, Sergi Dalmau, this seeks to guarantee an "integrated response" from all bodies in the face of possible incidents.

Dalmau has emphasized the high "fire risk" in natural environments, and has asked people to "act with self-protection" to reduce the risk of incidents. As informed by Dalmau, should phase 4 of Plan Alfa be activated in established observation areas, these will be closed. During the days prior to the eclipse, citizens will be informed of "particularly sensitive" areas. However, it is recommended not to watch the eclipse in unofficial spots, as these may not comply with the cartographic and environmental safety standards that Rural Agents have established when designating safe observation areas.

Although the Government is responsible for the logistical management of the eclipse, each municipality will offer educational and entertainment activities, such as inflatable planetariums or informative talks. The program for each town hall can be consulted on the website eclipsicatalunya.cat.