The Via de Cintura Interna (VCI) in Porto will undergo changes from Tuesday, although it's not yet fully clear how these changes will materialize. The signs already indicate that, starting September 15th, heavy vehicles will no longer be allowed to circulate during the day on this road, and now the question arises as to how compliance with this restriction will be enforced.
The VCI is a critical road infrastructure that connects the A20 to the A28 on the Porto side, stretching between Freixo Bridge and Arrábida Bridge. On the Vila Nova de Gaia side, it encompasses the A1 and A44, connecting the same two bridges. This road is one of the most problematic in the country in terms of traffic, being the most problematic in the North region, alongside some points on the A3 and A28.
The traffic flow on the VCI is intense, with thousands and thousands of vehicles circulating daily between Gaia and Porto, which contributes to the congestion problems that characterize this road. The implementation of the new restrictions for heavy vehicles appears to aim at relieving this pressure on a road that is considered the most problematic in the North region.
