A truck carrying concrete beams caused severe disruption on the AP7 in Castellví de la Marca. Two lanes were closed and traffic jams stretched for 20 km. Authorities advised alternative routes as cleanup continued.
Traffic on the AP7 in Castellví de la Marca (Alt Penedès) was severely disrupted after a truck transporting concrete beams was involved in an accident, leading to the closure of the left lane in both directions. The incident, which occurred during one of the busiest travel periods at the start of the summer holidays, resulted in traffic jams extending up to 20 kilometers, according to the Servei Català de Trànsit.
Although the truck did not overturn, it came to a stop in the central median, and part of its load scattered across the roadway. This forced authorities to close the left lane in each direction to allow for the safe removal of the beams and to prevent further incidents. The resulting congestion was particularly severe, with 15 kilometers of queues reported heading south and 5.5 kilometers northbound.
In response to the situation, the Servei Català de Trànsit recommended that drivers use alternative routes, specifically the N-340 or the C-32 (toll road), to avoid the affected section of the AP7. Cleanup operations focused on clearing the debris from the left lanes, with teams working for several hours to restore traffic flow as quickly as possible. The removal of the truck itself, which remained in the median, was scheduled for the early hours of the following morning to minimize further disruption.
The Mossos d'Esquadra have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the accident. The incident occurred at a time when the AP7 typically experiences a surge in traffic due to the start of the summer holiday season, increasing the impact of the disruption on both local residents and travelers passing through the region.
The AP7 is one of the main motorways in Catalonia, connecting key cities and serving as a vital corridor for both commercial and private vehicles. Accidents involving heavy goods vehicles, especially those carrying oversized or hazardous loads, can have significant consequences for traffic flow and safety. The Servei Català de Trànsit regularly issues recommendations and updates during peak travel periods to help drivers avoid major delays. The N-340 and C-32 are commonly used as alternative routes during such incidents, though the latter requires payment of a toll. The swift response by emergency and road maintenance teams helped to limit the duration of the disruption, but the event highlights the vulnerability of major transport arteries during high-traffic periods.
