Desenzano Opens New Perla Overpass to Improve Traffic Flow
After much talk, finally yesterday shortly after 11 a.m., the Mayor of Desenzano, Cino Anelli, with scissors in hand, cut the ribbon officially opening the new Perla overpass. To be precise, the infrastructure also includes an underpass and other facilities. Overall, it spans just under 2 kilometers, with a cost of nearly 8 billion lire per kilometer.
The investment by the Società Autostrada Brescia-Verona-Padova was indeed 15 billion 885 million lire. The contract was awarded on February 16, 1999, and the work was delivered within the limits outlined in the contract signed two years ago by the company and the Associazione Temporanea d’Imprese Codelfa Prefabbricati-Impresa Grassetto.
As has been emphasized multiple times, the project was “necessary to better rationalize traffic in the Perla area.” This area has become in recent years a nerve center for the traffic system not only of the lower Garda but also of the upper Mantovano and the Desenzano A4 interchange.
Impact on traffic and upcoming issues
The works have allowed for the construction of a flyover, an underpass, and a roundabout to direct various traffic flows at the level of the interchange. Despite this significant project, it cannot be said that traffic jams and inconveniences for motorists, especially those entering Desenzano, will end.
In fact, a bottleneck will form at the end of the flyover ramp, when two columns of vehicles, both heading towards the town, come into contact. The problem is that this is the only road connecting to the bypass toward Padenghe, which in turn absorbs traffic headed to Valtenesi.
In short, a crossroads comparable only to that of Castelnuovo, from where traffic routes branch out to Verona, large amusement parks, and the Autobrennero. In any case, the traffic-flowing work carried out by the company was unavoidable, and its positive effects will surely be felt.
The ceremony and participating authorities
Yesterday, numerous authorities attended the ribbon-cutting: the president of the Società Autostrada Brescia-Padova, Merlin; the president of the Tar di Brescia, Mariuzzo; provincial councilors Parolini and Bettinsoli; the mayors of Desenzano (and the entire council), Padenghe, Pozzolengo, Lonato, Montichiari, Castiglione, Moniga; the president of Apt, Banzola; then the health director of the Azienda di Desenzano, Castellani, and the administrative director, Gardoni; finally, the general director of the Asl bresciana, Coppini.
Blessing the new road segment was the parish priest of Sant’Angela, Don Luigi Limina. In the afternoon, the first cars began to travel across the overpass.
Perspectives and signals
Many drivers, despite the excellent signage installed at the edge of the Perla roundabout, still ignore the new ramps. This may last a day or two. Then, by mid-August, the real test will begin.
