The Lombardy Region has recently expressed a favorable opinion regarding the environmental compatibility for the construction of a new tunnel connecting Gargnano and Tignale. This development represents a significant step in the project aimed at improving traffic flow along the Western Gardesana.
Project Details
The project involves a variant between kilometer 86+567 and kilometer 88+800 of the state road 45 bis, known as Gardesana. The Councillor for Environment and Climate, Giorgio Maione, emphasized the importance of this intervention in alleviating traffic issues affecting both residents and tourists in the area. “Traffic in that area is a problem for both residents and tourists,” stated Maione, highlighting how this bypass tunnel represents one of the solutions to the issue.
The aim of the project is to address the difficulties related to the current ogival-section tunnels, built in the 1930s, which are unsuitable for the needs of modern vehicles. The existing tunnels do not allow for the simultaneous passage of heavy vehicles in both directions, necessitating the use of traffic lights to regulate traffic, which further exacerbates congestion.
Costs and Environmental Impacts
With an estimated cost of €126.2 million, funded through a contract between Anas and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the project not only includes the construction of the new tunnel but also the refurbishment of existing tunnels. This strategy is designed to separate traffic flows and prevent congestion.
Maione also assured that efforts will be made to minimize the impact on local traffic and the surrounding environment during the construction work. Observations have been collected from the local authorities involved in the decision-making process, with the aim of ensuring broad consensus on the project.
Management of Inert Material
One of the critical issues raised concerns the disposal of inert material resulting from the excavations. It is estimated that approximately 400,000 cubic meters of space will be needed to store the extracted materials. The community of Tignale has expressed concerns about the expected daily traffic through the town during the construction: about sixty trucks per day could pass through the town center.
Councillor Maione has opened the possibility of dialogue with the affected municipalities to find more sustainable alternative solutions for the disposal of inert material.
The Role of Local Institutions
Claudia Carzeri, Regional Councillor, has already initiated discussions with the Government since 2021 regarding the importance of the bypass tunnel on the Western Gardesana. With the recent approval of environmental compatibility by the Lombardy Region, an acceleration in the authorization process necessary for the construction of the project is now expected.
Carzeri also announced her intention to present an inquiry in the upcoming Regional Council to clarify the next steps to be taken. The goal is to obtain concrete answers regarding the timeline for the start of construction and the reasons for the significant delays so far.
In this context, it is also noteworthy to mention the proposal put forward by the President of the Mountain Community and Mayor of Limone, Franceschino Risatti, regarding a new tunnel between Toscolano and Tormini, highlighting how these proposals stem from a direct understanding of local needs.
Italian Version
