Gardesana Occidentale Closure: Meeting Sparks Local Protests
For the fate of the Gardesana Occidentale, closed since December 22nd due to the massive landslide from Rocchetta onto the road section between the first and second tunnels after Riva, a likely decisive match takes place tonight in Trento. The administrations of Riva and Limone, led by their respective mayors, will meet a large provincial delegation composed of road technical experts, President Dellai, and councilors Casagranda, Benedetti, and Molinari.
Meeting and protests from operators
The meeting was almost a «self-convocation» by the Riva and Limone Councils, which still refuse to believe that the solution proposed by Public Works Councillor Casagranda during the Christmas holidays (construction of a 1200-meter tunnel and a complete closure of the shoreline for about 2 years) is without alternatives.
Following protests and concerns expressed by tourism and economic operators, Mayor Malossini and his deputy Matteotti drafted a sort of guideline, outlining several reasons to agree to the tunnel but strictly «without the total closure of the Gardesana.»
The concerns range from the impact on timing (how is it possible to optimistically talk about two years for a 1200-meter tunnel when the construction of the west bypass of Riva, also in tunnels but half as long, is estimated at three years?) to doubts about the adequacy of the docks in Riva and Limone, should all traffic on Gardesana be transferred to Navigarda.
Safety issues and criticalities
The security argument is also unconvincing: because if the Gardesana was «undefendable» right after the famous Castelli report, why wasn’t the tunnel immediately included in the alternatives to the Pup? Is it really only Gardesana that is at risk in the mountainous Trentino? And isn’t safety a fundamental concern for everyone, considering that people stranded in Limone may not be able to quickly reach Riva’s Emergency Room in case of an accident?
It’s going to be a battle tonight. Riva and Limone intend to win it.
