Road network near capacity as Puríssima weekend brings heavy traffic

The familiar talk of a collapse has returned ahead of the Puríssima long weekend. A busy period is expected after last year’s lull caused by a lack of snow, and pressure is forecast mainly on the road network, which is already near capacity.

Many people say they will try to stay home or make journeys on foot where possible, but that is not always feasible. Some car parks were already full yesterday, and traffic queues are common; with fewer parking spaces available, many facilities frequently display “full.”

Complaints rise at holidays and during school breaks because these are the moments that disrupt daily routines — for example, a trip from the capital to La Massana can take nearly 45 minutes. The country’s size and layout set limits, and, whether residents like it or not, the economy depends heavily on tourism of varying types and quality.

Given this, debate tends to focus on finding a balance and reconciling what people want with what the territory can sustain. That requires clarity about objectives, an assessment of current resources and limitations, and medium- and long-term planning to improve infrastructure and manage demand.

Constant lamenting achieves little; practical planning and decisions are necessary to address recurring pressures without turning away from activities that support the local economy.