Town Allocates €180M for Beach Restoration After Lake Flood Damage

Project approved for the restoration of beaches damaged by high water in November. With a resolution issued a few days ago, the local government decided to repair the numerous damages caused by the high water levels in some of the most important stretches of beach, piers, and promenade areas of the town. A fund of 180 million euros has been allocated for the works, to be awarded through a private negotiation process. At the end of November, due to adverse weather conditions and the high water levels of Garda Lake, almost all the lakeside towns found themselves literally flooded.

Critical situation and damage caused by high water

An unusual and spectacular event was seeing the town centers “interdicted to vehicle and pedestrian traffic” and the main streets blocked with sandbags to prevent the waters from reaching homes. The damage assessment in December was truly high, and this was before the imminent start of the tourist season. The centers of Torri and Peschiera were among the most affected.

In particular, in Torri, the damage report prepared by the technical office included many of the most frequented locations and beaches: lungolago Vittorio Veneto, Lido, Saldam-San Faustino, the Spiaggia d’oro, Piaghen, and, above all, Punta Cavallo and Baia dei Pini.

Damages and restoration efforts

The Baia dei Pini, a cove directly exposed to the fury of the north winds, had been literally eaten away by waves up to one and a half meters high. The stone curbs of the same promenade and the paving in porphyry had been sucked away and eroded, leaving that stretch of lakeside devastated.

By December, the damage assessments had already been presented to the regional Minister of Environment and Civil Protection Massimo Giorgetti, to obtain the necessary funds for restoration. The minister had assured that efforts were being made to find a solution to the problem.

Funding and official initiatives

Now, while waiting for the funds promised by Venice, the local council has allocated 180 million euros for “the restoration of the bank works damaged by the lake’s overflows,” as stated in the resolution. “Awaiting the promised funds,” explained Mayor Alberto Vedovelli, “we need to urgently restore the beaches, promenades, and everything that the lake’s surge had destroyed.”

In recent days, a local company had already been tasked with removing debris along the promenades to enable the start of the works. The aim of the local authorities is for the work to be completed before Easter week, as the tourist flow becomes significant from that period, and “the beaches are the country’s calling card for guests and foreigners.” A race against time to restore a decent appearance to the promenades, ensuring the proper start of the tourist season.