The total solar eclipse this Wednesday, August 12 will cause significant changes in mobility in a large part of Spain. The concentration of thousands of people in the chosen locations to observe the phenomenon has led the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), autonomous communities, and municipalities to prepare restrictions, traffic cuts, and access controls.
Traffic estimates that there may be between 400,000 and 1.5 million additional trips towards the totality area and has prepared a special surveillance and regulation device.
There is no general road closure in Spain. The measures are concentrated in specific points and may be modified during the day depending on the influx of vehicles.
Traffic cuts in Zaragoza due to the eclipse
Zaragoza will be one of the cities with the greatest mobility changes. The bridges of La Almozara, Santiago, Piedra, and Pilar will have restrictions for vehicles.
The Piedra bridge has been closed to traffic since 10:00 AM, while the other three are scheduled to do so from 4:00 PM.
The city will also reinforce public transport from that hour and establish a speed limit of 30 km/h. Some bus lines may modify their routes.
The CV-500, restricted in València from 6:00 PM
The Valencian Community has prepared a special device in anticipation of the high influx expected and the risk of forest fires.
In València, one of the main points of attention will be El Palmar and l'Albufera. The CV-500 will be restricted from 6:00 PM, except for residents, and access to the beaches of La Malvarrosa and El Cabanyal will also be controlled.
During the day, natural parks in Alicante, Valencia, and Castellón will also remain closed to limit the presence of people in forest areas.
A Coruña cuts streets from 4:00 PM
There will also be significant restrictions in A Coruña, one of the cities located within the totality area.
From 4:00 PM, different roads and accesses will be closed in places such as Monte de San Pedro, Portiño, and the Maritime Promenade, as well as sections in As Lagoas, Matadero, Riazor, and Orzán.
The device also includes access to Avenida de La Habana and Manuel Murguía street and may be modified during the afternoon depending on the influx.
Restrictions in Mallorca to see the eclipse
Mallorca also expects a high concentration of visitors on beaches, viewpoints, and natural spaces.
In Palma, the beach parking will remain closed during the day and access on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport will be encouraged. The Bellver forest will also be closed, while La Burguesa will have limited access from 3:00 PM.
The Serra de Tramuntana will be another of the points under special surveillance and there will be specific restrictions in municipalities such as Calvià and Algaida.
Barcelona reinforces mobility control
Although Barcelona is outside the totality zone, the City Council has prepared a special device for the expected gatherings to observe the eclipse.
The operation will function between 2:00 PM and 11:59 PM, with a reinforcement of the Urban Guard and special surveillance over areas such as Collserola and Montjuïc.
Cantabria limits access to several observation points
In Cantabria, the restrictions will especially affect spaces that may register a high concentration of visitors.
Peña Cabarga will not allow access to the summit by private vehicle, so shuttle buses have been enabled. In Santander, access to the Cabo Mayor lighthouse will be closed to traffic and access to Virgen del Mar may also be restricted depending on the influx.
In Piélagos, vehicle access to the coast of Liencres and La Picota will be limited from Mortera and Boo between 4:00 PM and 8:30 PM. Measures are also planned in Suances, especially at the accesses to Los Locos beach, Punta Ballota, and the surroundings of the lighthouse.
Restrictions for heavy vehicles due to the eclipse
The device also affects the transport of goods. Catalonia, Navarra, and the Basque Country have established special measures for certain heavy vehicles, so transporters must check the restrictions applicable to each territory before starting the journey.
The state planning includes exceptional circulation measures specifically linked to the eclipse in different autonomous communities.
The DGT may close accesses if crowds occur
New measures may be added to the previously announced restrictions during the afternoon. The DGT may establish detours, limit accesses, and regulate circulation in those points where the concentration of vehicles causes safety problems.
The Traffic Group of the Civil Guard will reinforce the surveillance of the main routes to the observation areas. Traffic recommends planning trips in advance and avoiding the use of private vehicles whenever possible.
The DGT prohibits stopping on the shoulder to watch the eclipse
One of the main warnings affects those who intend to stop on the road when the phenomenon begins. One should not stop on the roadway or on the shoulder to observe the eclipse.
Drivers must completely leave the road and park in an authorized place before contemplating it. Special glasses for the eclipse should also not be used while driving, nor should mobile phones or cameras be handled while at the wheel.
During the darkening, the DGT recommends turning on the low beams, increasing the safety distance, and adapting the speed to visibility conditions.
Attention on the return after the eclipse
The most complicated moment for traffic could come immediately after the eclipse. While outbound trips can be spread over several hours, a simultaneous departure of thousands of vehicles could generate significant congestion.
For this reason, the DGT asks to stagger the return and avoid leaving all observation points immediately after totality. The recommendation is part of the special device designed for a phenomenon that Traffic estimates could generate up to 1.5 million additional trips.