The Servei Català de Trànsit has announced a special traffic operation for the holiday and long weekend around La Mercè Accordingly, between 12 noon on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, and 3 pm on Thursday, 24 September 2026, around 580,000 vehicles are expected to leave the area of Barcelona The forecast reflects the expected day-trip and holiday traffic prompted by the city festival and the associated days off.
To ease congestion and improve road safety, the authority has imposed temporary lorry restrictions on the AP-7 motorway. Such measures are common in Catalonia during heavy outbound or return traffic and particularly affect sections with high levels of long-distance traffic. The Servei Català de Trànsit published the exact time periods and affected road sections in its traffic notices and restriction schedules for September.
At the same time, Barcelona is expanding public transport services. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona is running additional trains at peak times and extending operating hours during the festivities, including round-the-clock metro services on festival nights. Extra capacity on buses and the metro is intended to ease pressure from La Mercè events in the city centre and reduce private car use.
The advance forecast is based on experience from previous years and the travel occasion created by the calendar. Similar special traffic situations have recently led to comparable numbers of vehicles leaving the greater Barcelona area. Trànsit regularly advises staggering departures, avoiding peak times and, especially on the AP-7, planning alternative routes and rest breaks. The announced restrictions apply to heavy vehicles; exemptions are governed by the orders in force at the time.
For residents and visitors to La Mercè, this means that anyone who does not need to drive can use the expanded public transport services as an alternative. Anyone leaving the city by car should check the latest notices from the Servei Català de Trànsit, the lorry rules on the AP-7 and any closures or diversions in Barcelona. The authorities are updating their advice throughout the period in response to traffic conditions.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).