Andorra Faces Road Closures and Transport Disruptions for Vuelta a España Stage

Andorra will deploy over 370 security and mobility staff for the fourth stage of the 2026 Vuelta a España on Tuesday, August 25—a 104.9km circular route fully within the country, starting and finishing at Andorra la Vella's Avinguda Tarragona for the first time.

The course leaves the capital for Encamp and Canillo, climbs the first-category Port d'Envalira at 2,409 metres via El Tarter and Soldeu, descends to Pas de la Casa, then returns through Collada de Beixalís, La Aldosa, La Massana and Ordino. Riders tackle the first-category Coll d'Ordino before dropping back to Canillo and Encamp, ascending the third-category Comella and returning to the start. The neutralised start is at 2.40pm, with leaders due around 5.30pm after about five hours, depending on pace and conditions.

Officials advise against non-essential car trips from 1pm to 6pm, urging remote work and real-time traffic checks. Roads close 1-1.5 hours ahead of the peloton, triggered by the lead police vehicle with red flags blocking all traffic—including bikes and scooters—until the green-flag vehicle clears them. Around 1,500 barriers will secure the route; residents must avoid roadside parking and keep animals secured.

The effort includes 140 Cos de Policia officers, 127 parish traffic agents, 60 volunteers and roughly 50 from Mobilitat, Bombers, SUM, Protecció Civil and Creu Roja, backed by 65 Guardia Civil and 10 Policía Nacional personnel. Operations coordinate from Prat del Rull, with any issues handled centrally, said Cos de Policia director Bruno Lasne.

Avinguda Tarragona shuts from the Comella roundabout to km 0 at 10pm Monday, August 24, until 9-10pm Tuesday for setup and teardown. Local and business access ends at 1pm race day; Terra Vella and Carrer Esteve Dolsa residents can enter/exit northbound until then. Northbound lanes reopen from 9pm, southbound from 10pm; valley diversions use Carrer Prat de la Creu or Avinguda Meritxell. The CG-2 between Encamp and Canillo closes for about three hours across three peloton passes, a major bottleneck.

Team sign-ons run 12.30pm-2.30pm at Parc Central parking, which hosts a Vuelta park. The publicity caravan launches at noon via Encamp, Canillo, Pas de la Casa, Ordino, La Massana, Andorra la Vella, Santa Coloma and Sant Julià de Lòria to the Riu Runer border. Prada Casadet parking holds the 22 teams' buses and support vehicles.

Public transport adjusts from Monday evening. The National Station handles international buses until 1pm Tuesday, then moves to Carrer Prat del Rull until 7pm. Municipal lots at Parc Central, Centre Ciutat, Prada Guillemó and Prada Casadet close August 24-25 for event needs.

Line L1 operates normally. L2 diverts via La Grau on Prat de la Creu. L3 and L4 bypass the National Station, using Maria Pla’s stop to Fener; L4’s first Vall d’Orient run from Pas de la Casa starts at 6pm. L5 reroutes via Prat de la Creu to La Grau. L6 and L7 start from Caldea, covering Nacions Unides, Fiter and Rossell, but skip 3pm and 5.30pm Tuesday services. Night line BN1 runs overnight Monday via Prat de la Creu and La Grau.

Andorra Turisme marketing director Noemí Pedra highlighted the race's 25th visit, drawing 1,200 journalists from 600 outlets in 30 countries, 900 vehicles and 3,000 personnel. Broadcasts span 190 countries, with one million average viewers and 187 million hours watched—78% outside Spain—via RTVE and RTVA. She called it a key global platform to showcase Andorra.

Andorra la Vella traffic chief Toni Pujol noted the shared start-finish raises mobility challenges, with teardown possibly delaying full reopening despite a 5.30pm finish. Mobilitat head Dani Boneta flagged the 24-hour Tarragona closure and Encamp-Canillo pinch, advising trip planning, fewer drives, remote work and public transport use. Lasne emphasised red-flag closures. Leaders described the day as a major sporting event demanding careful coordination.