New Tunnel Linking Grotta Azzurra to Ponale Valley Sets 5-Month Construction Goal

Our history is filled with numerous examples of provisional works that then lasted for years and decades. It remains difficult to accept the idea that by the end of July, in five and a half months, it will truly be possible to pass through a new tunnel, 1200 meters long, from the Grotta Azzurra to the Ponale valley, beyond the Sperone.

However, engineer De Col, provincial head of the road infrastructure sector, dismisses doubts and hesitation. “We know well what we are asserting. The project exists. We have presented and discussed it with a number of companies, those we usually work with, and have received only confirmations.”

Working on four fronts, from the north, from the south, and in both directions from the central point of the future tunnel, each front must advance three hundred meters. With the techniques available today, it is not impossible.

Procedure and Timelines

“The selection of the company, through an accelerated bidding procedure, will take about fifteen days and involves inviting around fifteen competing companies. We only need the green light from the politicians. All the necessary funds are also available.”

And speaking of approval, the advantages of autonomy become evident. The president of the Trentino Region, Lorenzo Dellai, is expected to sign the declaration of urgent need within a very short time, still within this week, allowing to bypass the European tender process and save about six months.

On the other hand, Lombardy is lagging behind: the government has not yet even issued the declaration of severe danger. The project for definitive safety measures for the route is still in the pipeline: it is still Anas that must commission, approve, finance, and execute it.

It would be the height of irony if the autonomous province spent billions defending Limone’s economy and yet travel to Campione remained impossible.

On the walls of the Rocchetta, rock removal is underway. “Money wasted in the wind,” says De Col, “because it will ultimately not allow us to ensure the safety of the road.”

Engineer De Col considers technically unfeasible the hypothesis of an opening to the spizzico (shut), or to hours.

“We invoke the urgent need declaration based on a proven, recognized, certified high danger in that section of road: this precludes any private transit. It would be a contradiction. What would happen if someone, by misfortune, were to get trapped underneath?”