Italy restricts truck traffic after earthquakes near Naples
From August 17, 2026, temporary restrictions apply in Pozzuoli to trucks weighing more than 3.5 tonnes and longer than 8 metres. The ban covers 17 streets, including routes leading to the port, while some freight transport to Ischia and Procida is to be redirected via Naples.
Pozzuoli Mayor’s Ordinance No. 439 of August 14, 2026, was issued in response to traffic problems that arose following a series of seismic tremors that began on July 31 this year. The strongest recorded event had a magnitude of Md 4.7 ± 0.3. Following the tremors, technical inspections of buildings and safety works were required at sites that could pose a hazard.
Earlier decisions by the authorities led, among other things, to the closure of Via Serapide and a section of Via Roma to traffic. On Via Nicola Fasano, the carriageway was narrowed to 5.50 metres. The revised traffic arrangements also resulted in the use of the parking area on Via Roma as an alternative route to the port area and historic city centre. In some locations, this road has limited width. The restriction has a direct impact on freight transport to Ischia and Procida. Due to the ban, trucks used to supply the islands are to use the port of Naples instead of Pozzuoli. Ferry operator Caremar confirms that the ordinance regulates both the passage of vehicles and the possibility of loading vehicles covered by the restriction.
According to the Pozzuoli authorities, the current traffic arrangements make the passage of vehicles of significant weight or length difficult and potentially hazardous. Therefore, from August 17, 2026, until further notice, traffic is prohibited on the following streets:
• Via Nicola Fasano,
• Via Roma,
• Via Marino Boffa,
• Via Dicearchia,
• Via Cristoforo Colombo,
• Via dell’Emporio,
• Via Cesare Battisti,
• Via A. M. Sacchini,
• Via G. Pergolesi,
• Viadotto Sacchini,
• Via Follieri,
• Via Giovanni de Fraia,
• Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi,
• Corso della Repubblica,
• Corso Vittorio Emanuele,
• Via Giacomo Matteotti,
• Galleria Via Tranvai.
The ban applies to vehicles with a gross weight when fully loaded exceeding 3.5 tonnes and a length of more than 8 metres. This means that, for vehicles in this category, both parameters must be exceeded.
The second group consists of buses, articulated buses, coaches and other vehicles designed for the collective transport of passengers. In their case, the ban applies regardless of the vehicle’s gross weight or length.
The restrictions do not apply to emergency and intervention vehicles, including fire engines, ambulances and civil protection vehicles, as well as vehicles belonging to the armed forces and law enforcement services when carrying out official duties. The exemption also covers vehicles used for the collection and transport of municipal waste and M2-category minibuses.
In addition, a maximum speed limit of 10 km/h has been introduced on the sections of Via Nicola Fasano and Via Roma where the carriageway has been narrowed. The restriction applies only along the narrowed sections and for as long as the current emergency conditions persist. The ordinance is temporary and extraordinary in nature. It will remain in force until normal traffic safety conditions are restored or another legal act is issued amending or repealing the restrictions. The document also provides for the temporary suspension of earlier ordinances to the extent that their provisions conflict with the new rules.
