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The eclipse exodus gridlocks several roads out of Madrid
The eclipse is already being felt on Madrid’s roads. Thousands of people are travelling this Wednesday towards the Sierra Norte and other points with better visibility, causing tailbacks on several of the capital’s main exit routes just hours before the phenomenon.
At 17:30, the A-1 was recording slow traffic between kilometres 16 and 19, at Alcobendas, and further difficulties between kilometres 46 and 48, in the Pedrezuela area. This road is one of the main routes to towns such as La Cabrera, Buitrago del Lozoya or Somosierra, located within the path of totality.
The M-607 also has congestion between kilometres 23 and 27, at Tres Cantos. The difficulties in the north of the region are compounded by queues on the A-2 between kilometres 16 and 22, in Torrejón de Ardoz, and on the M-45 between kilometres 30 and 33, as it passes through San Fernando de Henares.
The DGT is maintaining a special surveillance operation on the main corridors used to reach observation areas. The operation pays particular attention to the A-1 and M-607 northwards, the A-2 and Henares corridor, and the A-6 towards the Sierra de Guadarrama.
Traffic authorities also recall that it is prohibited to stop on hard shoulders or carriageways to watch the eclipse. The aim is to keep roads clear and ensure ambulances, firefighters and other emergency services can travel without obstacles during an afternoon when numerous municipalities expect exceptional attendance.
Concern will then shift to the return journey. The DGT fears that thousands of drivers will leave towns and viewpoints at the same time once the phenomenon ends, which could cause major jams on secondary roads and approaches to Madrid. It therefore recommends staggering the return and not setting off immediately after the eclipse.
With the moment of greatest occultation expected around 20:30 in the north of the Community, pressure on roads may continue increasing in the coming hours. Those still planning to travel should check traffic before setting off and consider public transport, particularly towards the Sierra Norte, which this Wednesday is experiencing one of the highest-attendance days of the whole summer.