The recent news regarding the Garda high-speed train station has sparked a heated debate in San Martino di Desenzano, where the costs for the construction of the project have skyrocketed, rising from approximately 60 million euros in 2021 to over 200 million according to the feasibility study presented last summer. This station will serve as an intermediate stop on the Brescia-Verona high-speed line, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. The opposition, composed of groups such as the Five Star Movement and L’altra Desenzano, has expressed concerns about the costs solely related to the railway infrastructure and the technical and logistical sustainability of the project.
The criticisms also focus on the increasing economic impact and the environmental costs associated with the project. According to Paolo Zanollo from WWF, the project does not justify the high land consumption already present in the area. Additionally, former city councilors like Maurizio Maffi describe the station as “unnecessary and extremely costly,” highlighting how it is disconnected from existing transport links and will require further investments to improve accessibility. Despite plans for parking facilities and a bike path, critics argue that it would be more beneficial to enhance the existing historical line rather than proceed with this new project, which they deem unprofitable.
