Catalonia moves to restore AP-7 tolls and fund new pedestrian bridge

The Catalan government is preparing to re‑introduce tolls on high‑capacity highways such as the AP‑7 and AP‑2, a policy it says would improve traffic distribution, enhance safety and provide financing for the road network. Mobility Secretary Manel Nadal noted that when tolls were in place until 2021 “the trucks were better distributed” and said the decision could come within two to three years, subject to a political agreement with the Spanish state. He also linked the move to a push for more rail freight services.

At the same time, the Barcelona metropolitan area has awarded a €4.3 million contract to the joint venture Copisa‑Viasfaltha to build a 193‑metre pedestrian and cycle bridge over the AP‑7 at Volpelleres in Sant Cugat. The work, slated to start in July and last about nine months, will provide a safe crossing for workers, schoolchildren and cyclists, addressing current gaps in the highway’s pedestrian infrastructure.