Valsabbia Tormini Interchange Opens July 7, Easing Traffic Flow
The opening date for the new 45 bis was set by Anas after the visit made yesterday by the provincial Public Works assessor Mauro Parolini and the administrators of the Valsabbia and Alto Garda communities to the site of the three-way Tormini interchange.
The works are nearly completed, and they will definitely be finished – assured geom. Liani, responsible for the road agency’s project – by Friday, July 7th.
At 11 a.m., in fact, a ceremony will take place at the entrance of the tunnel excavated near the archaeological site of Monte Covolo, involving ribbon-cutting and blessing of the new major roadway segment.
Date and inauguration ceremony
“Finally, we have a confirmed date and time to inaugurate a project worth 170 billion lire that has remained unfinished for many years,” said assessor Parolini, who has always maintained a very cautious stance regarding promises, which have often been unmet by Anas.
This time, it should be the right moment; further setbacks seem unlikely, as during the inspection – as noted by the assessor – confirmation was received that very little remains to be done: a retaining wall in an area that was previously involved in a contentious expropriation case, and the concrete guardrails on the bridges that have not yet been installed due to delays caused by a truck drivers’ strike.
The new interchange, with tunnels in three directions, will facilitate traffic flow towards Valsabbia, Salò, and Desenzano.
Traffic impact and reopening
In effect, the current Tormini intersection will only serve local traffic: the majority of vehicle flow – which causes endless queues, not just on festive days – will be eased by the new route options in the three directions, although issues are expected to reappear further north in Salò and even more so on the Gardesana in the northbound direction.
Also on Friday, July 7th, the section from Gavardo to Villanuova sul Clisi will reopen to traffic, after being closed for months to allow for completion of work at the interchange.
This will surely benefit the tourist season, as vehicle circulation will become somewhat smoother, but it is unrealistic to expect all traffic jams to be eliminated.
Starting this weekend, in fact, the two “bretelline” (detours) built alongside the tunnel entrances heading towards Salò and Desenzano will be opened to traffic.
Conclusions and future prospects
This development resolves a dangerous situation and provides relief for local traffic flow.
Parolini is satisfied and emphasizes that “the opening of the interchange is also the result of constant pressure exerted by the Province and other Brescia municipal authorities on Anas.”
The road agency was initially planning to postpone further work until next year, when the construction of the artificial tunnel near the archaeological excavations of Monte Covolo could also be completed.
“In the meantime,” concluded the assessor, “the road is opening. The completion works will be deferred to spring 2001: for now, there will be a narrowing with inevitable slowdowns, but we will get through.”
In less than a year, the site will reopen at least partially. Disruptions will recur, but the three-way interchange will remain open at all times.