Madrid will experience traffic restrictions from Friday to Sunday due to several demonstrations. The disruptions will be concentrated in the city centre and in Puente de Vallecas, with detours on dozens of EMT bus lines.
The city centre of Madrid and the district of Puente de Vallecas will be the most problematic areas for traffic during this weekend, according to the Madrid City Council. Three consecutive demonstrations will necessitate traffic cuts on several main streets and modifications to numerous routes of the Municipal Transport Company (EMT) between Friday, July 24, and Sunday, July 26.
The first mobilization will take place on Friday morning. Between 08:30 and 11:30, the cuts will focus around Plaza de la Villa, one of the historic areas of the old town. Subsequently, from 12:30 to 15:00, the restrictions will move to Calle Alcalá, in the stretch between Gran Vía and Puerta del Sol, with possible delays on adjacent roads.
Friday's events will conclude with a night demonstration that will traverse Calle Alcalá, Gran Vía, and Plaza de España between 21:00 and 23:30. During this interval, the EMT has announced detours on 27 bus lines: 001, 002, 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 15, 20, 25, 39, 44, 46, 51, 52, 53, 74, 75, 133, 138, 146, 147, 148, 150, 158, C1, and C2. Drivers needing to cross the city centre should seek alternative routes or avoid the area.
On Saturday, the disruptions will shift to the district of Puente de Vallecas. There, from 21:00 until approximately 23:00, a demonstration is planned to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Victory of Madrid over fascism, called under the slogan 'They shall not pass' by nearly fifty social, cultural, and political organizations. The route will affect Avenida de la Albufera, Avenida de Rafael Alberti, Avenida de Pablo Neruda, Arroyo del Olivar, Avenida de Buenos Aires, and Calle Payaso Fofó.
During the same timeframe, EMT lines 10, 24, 54, 57, 58, 103, 136, 142, 143, and 144 will modify their itineraries. Residents of Puente de Vallecas and drivers in the area should anticipate delays and seek alternative routes, especially along Avenida de la Albufera, one of the main arteries of the district.
On Sunday, the mobilizations will return to the city centre. Between 17:30 and 22:00, the cuts will affect Gran Vía, Plaza de Callao, and Plaza de España. The EMT will again divert lines 001, 002, 1, 2, 3, 9, 44, 46, 52, 74, 75, 133, 146, 147, and 148 during this period.
In light of the accumulation of demonstrations over the three days, the Madrid City Council recommends avoiding the use of private vehicles in the affected areas and opting for public transport, although it warns that some bus lines will also experience alterations. The EMT advises checking traffic and transport status before starting any journey, as well as paying attention to variable signage and information panels.
To minimize inconvenience, authorities suggest planning trips in advance and, where possible, using the metro as an alternative, as no cuts are expected on the Madrid Metro network. However, during peak hours of the demonstrations, stations in the city centre and Puente de Vallecas may experience increased passenger traffic.
You may also like
