News

From winter operations to spring–summer traffic seasons

Operations
13 April 2026

VINCI Highways operates a diverse road network from North America to Europe . In the northern hemisphere, several of our highways are exposed every year to severe winter conditions. This year, the winter season was particularly intense, especially in Europe, with repeated episodes of snow, ice and black ice. As winter comes to an end, our teams are already preparing for the next phase, with Easter travel and then summer journeys adding to the usual flow of freight traffic and daily commuting.

A first full winter season successfully managed on Via Salis

In the Czech Republic, Via Salis offers a strong illustration of that effort. The 2025–2026 season was the first full winter maintenance season on the D4 highway since it opened to service in December 2024. It was a demanding first test, with more frequent snow, ice and black ice than during the previous season. Via Salis Operations teams handled these episodes through close monitoring, fast intervention and strong field coordination, keeping the highway open and safe throughout the winter. From the Operations Control Centre in Lety, they coordinated patrols, winter services, roadside assistance and incident response to keep the highway fully available to drivers.

With winter now coming to a close, Via Salis has moved into its spring cleaning programme. Sweeping operations are under way along the D4 as the highway is prepared for the busier months ahead.

Preparing for Easter and summer traffic

The move into spring is first and foremost an operational one. Easter getaways and, soon after, summer holiday journeys increase traffic on top of the flows that are already there every day. Networks therefore need to absorb these peaks while continuing to serve freight transport and everyday mobility under the same conditions of safety and service.

Greece is a good example of that challenge. Our network serves destinations that are especially popular with Greek travellers during the long Orthodox Easter weekend. Olympia Odos, between Athens and now Pyrgos, and the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, put in place seasonal operational measures to absorb this peak period, with reinforced staff and equipment to support traffic conditions and assist drivers.

Another part of that transition is helping drivers return to the right habits after the winter months and stay fully alert during longer holiday journeys. Across our network, VINCI Highways teams prepare and share safe travel tips with customers: checking the vehicle before departure, allowing enough time for the trip, taking regular breaks and staying informed about traffic and weather conditions.

That approach also extends to dedicated summer breaks on service areas, where our teams invite drivers to pause in an environment focused on road safety awareness and responsible driving. These initiatives offer drivers a practical and appreciated opportunity to take a real break, reset their attention and continue their journey in better conditions. This summer, they will once again be organised in Slovakia and will be introduced for the first time in the Czech Republic.

From winter response to spring cleaning, peak traffic management, driver information and summer road safety initiatives, the new season begins well before the first holiday departures. Across the VINCI Highways network, our teams are already at work to make sure roads remain ready for every kind of journey.

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