Severe Traffic Jams from Avinguda Tarragona Roadworks in Andorra la Vella

Roadworks on Avinguda Tarragona in Andorra la Vella generated severe traffic congestion on Thursday, with queues forming from the Escaldes-Engordany entrance and extending to Estadi Comunal. The repairs to a manhole cover required closing one of the two lanes in both uphill and downhill directions during the morning, narrowing to just the downhill lane toward Sant Julià de Lòria in the afternoon.

Mobility services reported that circulation had fully reopened by late afternoon, though they warned of possible future lane closures if required. The backups affected nearby Carrer de la Unió and Avinguda Fiter i Rossell, while drivers diverting onto Carretera de l'Obac toward Sant Julià encountered monumental jams, particularly from midday onward, impacting light and heavy vehicles alike.

Traffic agents deployed around 9:45am to manage flows amid rush-hour buildup. Despite earlier indications from mobility services that a repeat of Wednesday's gridlock would halt the works, crews completed the job ahead of schedule, sealing new asphalt around the manhole and removing cones and signage by early afternoon.

The disruptions drew criticism from David Astrié, councillor for the Andorra la Vella comú minority group, who posted on X questioning whether the parish government had authorised the intervention. Some drivers voiced frustration over sluggish progress and extended travel times during peaks.

Authorities have not announced plans for further works on Avinguda Tarragona. Meanwhile, separate minor asphalt repairs on Carrer Prat de la Creu in the city centre addressed localised damage from heavy vehicles, including potholes that pooled water during rain and splashed pedestrians. Crews handled these short interventions—lasting a couple of hours each—with traffic agents directing alternating flows, sometimes disabling nearby signals, resulting in variable delays depending on traffic volume. The parish council confirmed the works resolved the issues without major incidents and may continue at other spots, such as near Rotonda and Plaça del Poble elevator.