# Heavy Vehicle Ban Reduces VCI Traffic by 30 Percent

New traffic restrictions in Porto significantly lower heavy vehicle volume on key arterial roads.

- **Source:** [Notícias ao Minuto](https://www.noticiasaominuto.com)
- **Published:** 2026-11-04
- **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business)
- **Original article:** <
                https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/pais/3078580/proibicao-retirou-30-dos-veiculos-pesados-da-vci-no-porto-ministro#utm_source=rss-ultima-hora&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rssfeed
                >
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/5d0448fd-23ac-418a-b0d9-18ed48dc3084

## Significant Traffic Reduction

Minister Miguel Pinto Luz announced that the ban on heavy vehicles on the Via de Cintura Interna has successfully reduced traffic by 30 percent. This policy, which targets vehicles not destined for Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia, aims to alleviate congestion on one of the region's most critical urban transport arteries.

## Impact on Douro Crossings

The restriction has yielded even more dramatic results at specific bottlenecks. Data indicates a 60 percent reduction of heavy vehicles on the Arrábida Bridge. Furthermore, the total number of heavy vehicles crossing the Douro River via the Arrábida and Freixo bridges has decreased by approximately 3,500 units since the implementation began.

## Regulatory Enforcement Details

The prohibition officially took effect on September 15 and applies during weekdays between 07:00 and 21:00. To ensure compliance, the Public Security Police (PSP) monitored the area closely, recording 27 infractions within the first 48 hours of the new regime. Authorities continue to enforce these rules to maintain the intended traffic flow.

## Alternative Route Incentives

To mitigate the impact on logistics operators, the government has provided a viable alternative. The CREP, also known as the A41 regional circular road, has been exempt from tolls since the beginning of the year. This measure encourages heavy transit traffic to bypass the city center entirely, utilizing the outer ring road instead.

## Future Infrastructure Upgrades

Beyond current restrictions, the government is planning long-term improvements to the VCI infrastructure. Infraestruturas de Portugal is scheduled to launch public tenders in January for construction works aimed at upgrading specific junctions. These enhancements are designed to improve the functional capacity and safety of the existing road network for all daily commuters.

## Cooperation Protocols Signed

The Porto City Council and Infraestruturas de Portugal have formalized several cooperation protocols to manage the VCI effectively. These agreements include conducting feasibility studies for the Eastern and Western External Circular Roads. Additionally, the parties are collaborating on the functional evolution and requalification of the EN 12 road to support regional connectivity.

## Urban Planning Strategy

The initiative reflects a broader strategy to modernize Porto's transport infrastructure. By integrating traffic management with long-term road development, officials hope to balance the needs of local logistics with urban quality of life. The focus remains on optimizing existing assets while exploring new circular routes to handle the growing regional traffic demands.

## Context of Mobility Policy

This intervention highlights the ongoing challenge of managing heavy transit in dense metropolitan areas. By combining restrictive measures with toll-free alternatives, the government seeks to shift heavy traffic away from residential and central business districts. The success of this pilot phase will likely inform future urban mobility policies across other major Portuguese cities.

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._