Rivana Entrepreneurs Urge Reopening Gardesana Amidst Tunnel Construction

There is also the voice of the Rivana entrepreneurs amid the chorus of those protesting the decision of the Province to close the Gardesana until 2002, when the new tunnel will be finished. Insurmountable, according to the entrepreneurs, are the disruptions and damages that would result from such a long closure for the economy and tourism, both from Limone and locally.

“We are truly concerned,” states Franco Gamba, president of the Coordination of Entrepreneurs of the Area – “because the effects of such a situation would be devastating not only for us but for the entire economy of Lake Garda, whose tourist image would suffer significant damage.”

Possible alternatives and considerations

So, what could be the alternatives? “It is not our intention to teach anyone the trade,” continues Gamba, “and we certainly do not question that the absolute priority must be the safety of citizens, but, given these premises, we believe that during the construction of the tunnel, the Gardesana could be reopened.

On the other hand, I think this landslide is minor compared to the last two: the tragic one in ’99 and the recent one a few months ago. Maybe with alternating one-way traffic, or by constructing temporary protective structures: it doesn’t matter how, as long as Limone and Riva remain connected by a road.”

Ferries, in fact, even if service is improved, will never be able to handle the traffic that builds up between Riva and Limone during the summer months. There are hundreds of buses, thousands of cars: how can they all be ferried across? And what about our artisans, our wholesalers who daily go to Limone for work?”

Conclusions on traffic management

Yes to the tunnel, therefore, no to the closure of Gardesana. “Certainly,” concludes Gamba, “nobody wants to contest Engineer Bortolotti’s decisions, but State Road 45 bis must be reopened at least until the tunnel is completed.”