Spain diverts trucks to the motorways in Catalunha.
Portugal
Despite the dispute, from zero yesterday, day 2, that the traffic of trucks on sections of the N-340 and N-240 in Catalunha, is being diverted to the motorways. Affected carriers have toll discounts. Spain gives discounts to trucks diverted to motorways
Since Sunday heavy vehicles have been prevented from traveling on sections of the N-340 and N-240. The Spanish government justifies the measure by reducing congestion and the level of emissions in those routes.
In a statement, the Spanish Ministry of Development maintains that the N-340 - which crosses the Autonomous Community of Catalunha between the towns of Peñíscola-LHospitalet de LInfant and Altafulla-Vilafranca - and the N-240, in the passage between Les Borges Blanques- Montblanc, are conventional roads that support heavy traffic of heavy vehicles, which contributes to increase congestion and noise pollution, especially in urban areas. To compensate transporters for the extra costs of the compulsory diversion, the Madrid Executive decided to allocate discounts on tolls on the AP-7 AP-2 motorways.
The measures are for the Heavy category 2 and consist of a 50% discount on the tolls for vehicles with Via T electronic system and 42, 53% for the remaining ones. The sections of AP-7 covered are located between exits 43 (Peñíscola) and 38 (L'Hospitalet) and 32 (Altafulla) and 30 (Vilafranca Sur). In the AP-2 the sections are the ones that are, inclusively, between exits 7 (Les Borges Blanques) and 10 (La Pla de Santa María). In addition, light vehicles are exempted from tolls on the section of the AP-7 between Vilafranca Sur and Vinaroz / Alcanar (on round-trip journeys carried out within 24 hours and with electronic toll payments).
The measures will be in force until the end of the concession period, which in the case of Aumar occurs on 31 December 2019 and in the case of Acesa on 31 August 2021.
