Update October 17, 2026: Restrictions on DN 7 – Olt Valley, extended until November 15, 2026
The traffic restrictions on DN 7 – Olt Valley, on the Călimănești-Căciulata – Câinenii Mari section, have been extended until November 15, 2026, DRDP Craiova announced on August 28. This is the third extension after July 15: the restrictions had first been extended until July 31, then until August 31.
Vehicles over 7.5 tons are not allowed to travel from Monday to Saturday, between 08:00 and 17:30. There are no restrictions on Sundays and public holidays. In the work zones, traffic runs alternately in a single lane, directed by traffic controllers.
On September 26, the slope protection work was more than 84% complete. DRDP Craiova estimates that it could be finished by the end of 2026, although the contract deadline is September 2027.
From October 16 to 20 inclusive, work is suspended and traffic flows through the Olt Valley without restrictions. After October 20, work resumes according to the construction schedule.
Separately, between km 246+600 and 248+800, traffic on DN7 is diverted onto a service road until December 31, 2026, because of the work on the Sibiu – Pitești highway (Boița – Cornetu section).
Update June 12, 2026: Restrictions on DN 7 – Olt Valley, extended by 30 days
The traffic restrictions on DN 7, in the Olt Valley area, have been extended until July 15, 2026, according to DRDP Craiova. The reasons for the extension are the bad weather in May and the interruptions during public holidays, which slowed the pace of work.
The work involves stabilizing the slopes — removing loose material, installing protective netting and reinforcing areas at risk of rockfall.
Restrictions in effect:
Vehicles over 7.5 tons — no driving Monday–Saturday, between 08:00 and 17:30 (with the exceptions set out in the notice).
All other vehicles — traffic under temporary restrictions, with traffic control.
Drivers are asked to obey the temporary signage in the area.
Today, June 12, as the restrictions on DN7 were extended, the Transfăgărășan reopened. The Transalpina reopened on May 29, 2026.
Update May 20, 2026: Work continues in the Olt Valley (DN7)
DRDP Craiova reports that the installation of retaining nets and barriers on DN 7 – Olt Valley is about 60% complete.
The work aims to improve road safety on one of the most important and busiest national road sections in Romania.
Road safety and better traffic conditions in the Olt Valley remain priorities for DRDP Craiova. The work aims to reduce the risk of incidents caused by rocks falling from the slopes and to better protect road users.
Update March 17, 2026: Olt Valley (DN7) restrictions for the period March 17 – June 15
The traffic situation in the Olt Valley, on the Râmnicu Vâlcea – Boița section, is changing again with the start of slope stabilization and clearing work (installing protective netting and cutting down dangerous trees).
Drivers passing through the area should know that from Monday to Saturday, between 08:00 and 17:30, severe restrictions are in place. The most important measure concerns heavy traffic: vehicles over 7.5 tons are not allowed to travel during these hours. For cars, getting through will be difficult.
Passenger transport vehicles are exempt from this measure.
The work involves traffic stoppages of up to 30 minutes (Monday–Friday) and 15 minutes (Saturday), alternating with single-lane traffic directed by traffic controllers. The Traffic Police are present along the route to direct the lines of cars and minimize jams.
Attention, truckers (> 7.5t)! While the daytime restrictions in the Olt Valley are in effect, use the following alternative routes:
Brașov route: Bucharest ➔ A3 ➔ Ploiești ➔ DN1A ➔ Brașov ➔ DN1 ➔ Veștem junction.
Jiu Gorge route: Bucharest ➔ A1 ➔ Pitești ➔ DN7 (Rm. Vâlcea) ➔ DN67 (Tg. Jiu) ➔ DN66 ➔ Simeria.
UPDATE AT 01:30, December 10, 2025 | DRDP Craiova announced that traffic has resumed normally on DN7 – Olt Valley.
UPDATE AT 23:00 | Prolonged blockage in the Olt Valley. DN 7 remains closed until tomorrow morning (December 10) because of the major risk
DN 7 (Olt Valley) remains closed. The authorities have decided to keep road traffic completely closed throughout the night, for public safety reasons. Traffic is expected to resume tomorrow, December 10, 2025, in the morning.
As a reminder, at the exit from Căciulata toward Sibiu, a tanker truck loaded with LPG suffered a technical failure, causing gas leaks. ISU teams, the Traffic Police and SDN Vâlcea are maintaining a strict safety perimeter to prevent the risk of an explosion.
RECOMMENDED DETOURS:
To avoid the blockage, drivers are asked to use the following alternatives, depending on their direction of travel and vehicle weight:
Direction Râmnicu Vâlcea – Sibiu:
Rm. Vâlcea → DN 67 (Târgu Jiu) → DN 66 (Petroșani – Hațeg – Simeria) → A1 → Sibiu.
Direction Sibiu – Râmnicu Vâlcea:
Brezoi → DN 7A (7.5-ton restriction) → Petroșani → DN 66 (Târgu Jiu) → DN 67 → Rm. Vâlcea.
Direction Sibiu – Bucharest (light/heavy traffic):
Sibiu → DN 1 (Brașov – Prahova Valley) → Bucharest.
More details to follow
UPDATE DECEMBER 9, 2025, 15:20
DRDP Craiova announces on social media that DN 7 – Olt Valley is COMPLETELY CLOSED at the exit from Căciulata toward Sibiu for about 4 hours.
LPG is leaking from a faulty tanker, so an exclusion zone has been set up for drivers' safety (risk of fire).
Emergency teams (ISU, Police, National Roads) are working to fix the situation. Please be patient and careful. Do not stop near the cordoned-off perimeter!
Information being updated.
Update October 4, 2024
Traffic restrictions in the Olt Valley on DN7 (September 30 – October 25)
The INFOTRAFIC Center of the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police announced that from September 30, 2024, to October 25, 2024, on the Olt Valley DN 7 between Râmnicu Vâlcea and Sibiu, at kilometers 198+200 – 207+000, 216+000 – 219+000, 224+000 – 227+300 and 228+000 – 233+200, traffic will be stopped over stretches of about 300 meters, for periods of up to 15 minutes, alternating with traffic being let through.
The measures are needed for work to stabilize the slopes and remove rock blocks and vegetation. Afterwards, traffic will be restricted to one lane at a time, with traffic lights and traffic controllers.
The work will not affect traffic at night and will be carried out on the following schedule: Monday–Thursday 07:00 – 16:00, Friday 07:00 – 14:00 and Saturday 07:00 – 18:00.
Update August 7, 2024
Traffic in the Olt Valley on the Boița – Lazaret section will reopen starting this evening, August 7, 2024.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Sorin Grindeanu announced that starting this evening, August 7, 2024, at 20:00, traffic on DN7 (Olt Valley) will fully reopen between Boița and Lazaret.
The work took two days less than originally estimated.
Original article
The Olt Valley (DN7) is closed during the day, from 06:00 to 20:00, between Lazaret and Boița from July 8 to August 9, 2024.
This 8 km stretch of the Olt Valley road is open outside the hours mentioned above.
The Olt Valley restrictions were imposed because of the ongoing work on the Sibiu – Pitești highway. The authorities have provided road users with detours, which you can view here. For cars (under 3.5 tons), the press also suggested the Transfăgărășan and part of the Transalpina as alternatives.
We recommend checking road conditions before setting off on your trip!
