Tourists Defy Road Signs and Security at Garda Construction Site

Signs and Prohibitions on the Road

Signs scattered throughout the city. A multitude of bilingual signals carefully explaining both what is happening (the construction of a new tunnel on the road to Limone) and what is strictly forbidden (traveling the Gardesana Occidentale by any means and on foot). A series of specific and fairly exhaustive prohibitions, information, and warnings that, logically, should leave no room for misinterpretation: you are not allowed to pass, end of story. Yet, none of this suffices to quell the stubbornness of tourists on vacation, firmly intent on going where they are not permitted.

The Ponale Path

For bikers from all over the world, as well as casual cyclists, going there means cycling the enchanting Ponale, the old disused road that from Riva leads to Val di Ledro. A true paradise for cycling enthusiasts, many of whom come to Garda specifically to ride it. Crowds push toward the summit of the famous path with the clear intention and desire to start their ride. But they are inevitably forced to turn back and retrace their steps.

In defense of the construction site where a tunnel is being hurriedly built inside Rocchetta, it became necessary to station even a security guard armed with a pistol. This is solely to deter dozens of tourists, mostly German bikers, from attempting in every way to bypass the construction fence to reach the Ponale.

Testimonies from the Surveillance Agents

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” recounts Giovanni Zaccaria, an agent from Fidelitas Trentino responsible for site surveillance. “They come in fleets every day, and everyone is determined to pass, even after reading the prohibition signs, even after being told it’s dangerous and not allowed, even after seeing firsthand the trucks and excavators at work. The other day, I stopped a pair of Germans; just as I turned away for a moment, I saw them run inside. I had to have the site manager chase after them.”

Others have even tried to bypass the obstacle by climbing the wall bordering the road, while the other day, I almost got into a fight with a very stubborn Italian tourist; if his wife hadn’t been there, who knows how it would have ended. They insist on passing, and many are also rude. I can understand a foreigner in difficulty, but an Italian? Definitely not.”