A section of the AP-7 highway near Vandellòs i l’Hospitalet de l’Infant, in the Tarragona province of Catalonia, remains closed to traffic following a truck overturning due to strong winds on Saturday. The closure, now extending beyond 24 hours, is impacting both northbound and southbound lanes, with authorities diverting vehicles onto the N-340 national road.
The incident occurred at kilometer 283.5 of the AP-7, a major Mediterranean transport corridor, as Storm Oriana brought wind gusts exceeding 140 kilometers per hour to the region, according to the Catalan Traffic Service (SCT). Efforts to remove the overturned vehicle have been hampered by continuing high winds, preventing the installation of a large crane necessary for the operation. A second truck accident, too attributed to the strong winds, has resulted in a partial lane closure on the A-7 highway nearby, further complicating traffic flow.
As of Sunday morning, the SCT had lifted restrictions on vehicles weighing over 7,500 kilograms across the Tarragona province, a measure initially implemented Saturday in response to the severe weather. Though, the AP-7 closure persists, and the ban remains in effect on a 150-kilometer stretch of the highway between l’Arboç and Ulldecona as a preventative measure.
Railway services between Catalonia and the Valencian Community, which were also disrupted by the storm, have been fully restored, according to Renfe, the national rail operator. Despite the improvement in rail connections, the AP-7 highway closure continues to pose a significant challenge for road transport. Authorities have not yet provided a specific timeframe for the full reopening of the highway, citing the ongoing weather conditions and the complexity of the vehicle recovery operation.
