The Generalitat is weighing a possible return of tolls on the AP-7, one of Catalonia’s basic highways, amid persistent congestion and a high accident rate. Interior Minister Núria Parlon confirmed that a dedicated working group will form this autumn to assess potential solutions. The AP-7 lost its tolls in August 2021 and has since seen a surge in traffic, renewing debate over whether their removal was the right move.
Parlon said the working group will bring together representatives from every department involved in mobility and AP-7 management. Its task is to identify effective ways to reduce traffic jams and accidents. One option is the controversial return of tolls, which has divided opinion since President Salvador Illa raised the issue in the Catalan Parliament on July 1. Illa called for collective reflection on the decision to eliminate tolls, suggesting the region may have acted too hastily.
The toll debate also reflects how traffic shifted after charges ended. Joan López Alegre, a columnist for El Periódico, has pointed to increased traffic and heavy vehicles moving from the N-340 onto the AP-7. The policy arguments extend beyond pricing to the motorway’s capacity and upkeep: tolls could manage demand, while extra lanes and maintenance investment would address infrastructure constraints. Residents’ movement Mai Més Peatges opposes bringing tolls back and has criticized the Spanish and Catalan governments over rising traffic and accidents, as well as unmet infrastructure needs.
As the toll debate continues, the Servei Català de Trànsit (SCT) is rolling out a ten-point action plan to improve safety and traffic flow on the AP-7. Some measures are already in place; others will follow in the coming months. A new mobile app is being developed to give drivers real-time voice alerts about accidents and traffic jams, while suggesting alternative routes. It is expected to launch this autumn.
The SCT has also begun testing an artificial intelligence-powered variable speed system along 150 kilometers of the AP-7, between Maçanet de la Selva and El Vendrell. The technology is designed to adjust speed limits dynamically information from traffic conditions. Parlon said an AI-driven accident prediction system is also in advanced development on the same stretch. Separately, the Generalitat’s traffic authority is considering speed limits of 100 km/h across approximately 200 kilometres of the motorway, with initial reductions expected in 2027. The proposed controls aim to reduce collision severity and smooth traffic by limiting abrupt braking. Studies of the Vilafranca-Martorell section have reportedly found that lower permitted speeds can ease congestion while improving safety.
In the Terres de l’Ebre region, where the AP-7 narrows to two lanes and accident rates are particularly high, authorities are installing variable speed signage. This builds on earlier steps, including a ban on truck overtaking in certain sections. Traffic police and the Mossos d’Esquadra have also expanded large-scale inspections of heavy vehicles, checking maintenance alongside technical inspections and tachographs. Speed enforcement has been strengthened with six new radar units, bringing the total to ten along the 344-kilometer route.
Figures attributed to the SCT and reported by El Periódico show the scale of the safety challenge: through September 2026, the AP-7 recorded 646 accidents and 12 fatalities, with deaths up 33% year on year. Serious injuries reportedly doubled compared with the same period in 2019. Vehicle breakdowns rose by 40% during 2026, while incidents involving trucks were up 20% compared with 2019. These figures set the increase in incidents against a longer-term baseline and show the difficulty of managing a corridor used by freight traffic and local commuters.
Crashes can disrupt traffic far beyond the immediate scene. In a multiple-vehicle collision near Sant Cugat del Vallès, four cars were involved, and one caught fire, forcing the closure of two of the AP-7’s three lanes. Queues stretched for more than seven kilometres on the motorway and over five kilometres on the B-23 near the connection from Molins de Rei. The Bombers de la Generalitat said all occupants escaped without injury. Trànsit later reported that all lanes had reopened, though residual queues remained.
Parlon acknowledged that current measures alone will not resolve all of the AP-7’s challenges. Major infrastructure upgrades, including a planned expansion to three lanes in the southern section, are still awaiting approval and will take time to implement. The situation reflects wider transport and safety concerns in Catalonia, where authorities face pressure to balance mobility needs with safety and public opinion.
Catalonia has faced a series of infrastructure and safety challenges in recent years, from severe weather to economic pressures on public services. During recent storms, for example, emergency services responded to widespread damage in Barcelona province, as reported in coverage of the Inuncat pre-alert. The debate over AP-7 tolls shows the trade-offs involved in managing the region’s critical transport arteries.
The AP-7 is a critical corridor for local commuters and long-distance travelers, linking basic cities and supporting economic activity across Catalonia. Any decision to reintroduce tolls would have impressive implications for daily mobility and regional finances, including logistics. As the working group prepares to meet this autumn, residents and businesses are watching for signs of what lies ahead for one of Spain’s busiest highways.
