Gardesana Occidentale Traffic Update: Schedules, Disruptions, and Local Impact
The new transit schedules for the Gardesana Occidentale south of Limone came into effect on Monday. An ordinance by Anas states that at the landslide site in Nanzel, just before Limone when heading towards Riva, transit is permitted from 7:15 to 8:15 am, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm, and from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on weekdays. On Saturdays, transit is allowed from midnight until 8:15 am the following morning, and from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On Sundays and public holidays, passage is allowed for 12 hours, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Nighttime transit on 45 bis from Limone towards other villages in Brescia will only be permitted for emergency vehicles. Further south, at Forbisicle, between Campione and Gargnano, the following hours remain in effect: passage is allowed from 4:30 pm to 8:30 am the next morning, and from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. During the rest of the day, the road remains closed to allow Anas to carry out maintenance work.
Reactions and evaluations on the situation
“The new schedules,” said the mayor of Limone, Giovan Battista Martinelli, “can mitigate inconveniences during the low season, but starting April it will be a nightmare.” Regarding the Gardesana north of the town, between Limone and Riva, the Provincia di Brescia is expected to soon appoint an expert to evaluate, together with the one appointed by Trento, the possibility of reopening 45 bis during the construction of the 1,250-meter tunnel planned by the Autonomous Province.
The Riva City Council has approved a motion demanding the reopening of the Gardesana between Riva and Limone and requesting financial support for those who need to rely on the ferry, the only available means of transport between Lake Garda’s Brescia and Trentino areas (9,000 lire for the Limone-Riva round trip, 45,000 with car). Riva’s administrators also request recognition of a natural disaster if restoring transit on the state road proves impossible.
Martinelli reiterates: “Every day I receive phone calls from hoteliers asking whether they should hire staff for the tourist season. There are 500 family breadwinners at risk of losing their jobs.” The first week of operation with 45 bis closed highlighted how Navigarda is unable to handle vehicle traffic between Riva and Limone. The ferry, even at full capacity and without stops, can make a maximum of twenty trips with 28 cars each, totaling 560 vehicles. During the summer, at least five thousand vehicles pass through that stretch of Gardesana.
Nevertheless, Martinelli reports that starting January 22, thanks to further efforts by Navigarda, ferry services will be enhanced. Tremosine is among the most affected areas: “Six hotels and eight grocery stores are open,” said the mayor of Tremosine, Diego Ardigò. “Bakers are struggling to get flour.” Significant difficulties are also faced by the 81 artisans and 61 agricultural companies spread across the 18 frazioni of the Municipality.
Hay, feed, were traditionally purchased in Riva. Every day, 60 students and 34 workers commute from the Trentino town. To prevent 14 students attending schools in Rovereto from arriving an hour late, Tremosine and Limone have rented a private ferry.
Luca Belligoli