Garda Announces Infrastructure Upgrades in Val dei Molini Valley
The Val dei Molini, carved over the millennia by the Tesina torrent between the hills that divide Garda from Costermano, is one of the most beautiful corners of the Garda hinterland. In the past, it was also an important economic center: in the valley’s mills, the majority of grains produced in the area were ground.
Living there today, however, is not easy: the aqueduct, sewerage, public lighting, and gas network are missing. Moreover, residents have to contend with the torrent, which when it swells, risks washing away the dirt road. For the few inhabitants of the valley, though, important news is on the way.
Work is expected to start in September to equip the area with essential services and to repair the road surface. This was announced by the mayor of Garda, Giorgio Comencini, during a meeting with residents held at the Molini tavern. The works concern the section of Val dei Molini under the jurisdiction of the Comune di Garda: from the entrance to the crossing beyond the Molini tavern.
Details of the works and technical characteristics
The pipes for the sewerage system, public lighting, stormwater, and aqueduct will be installed. As for the road, only the first twenty meters will be asphalted, while the extension will be repaired with a concrete curb that incorporates on its surface a layer of gravel, to preserve the look of the white road.
«From an aesthetic point of view,» emphasized designer Costantino Franceschetti, «the appearance will resemble that of the old road, but without its dustiness and the potholes that open up with every rain». «The final effect,» reaffirmed urban planning councilor Pierlorenzo Vantini, «will be exactly that of a gravel-covered road: the environmental impact should be null». The same solution is expected for the adjacent via Pignoi.
The total cost will amount to 285 million euros. The Comune di Garda will also ensure water supply to residents of the portion of the valley belonging to Costermano.
Future prospects and limitations
«Our goal,» said Comencini, «is to bring as many services as possible to the valley’s residents. We will ask them to actively participate in the conservation of this extraordinary corner of the hinterland.»
For the upstream stretch, we will guarantee water supply, but obviously we are not able to provide other services, as that area belongs to Costermano.» Nothing is planned for natural gas.
According to some residents, Italgas has declared that it is not interested in servicing the area due to the unprofitability of the operation: a pity, because the excavations carried out by the Comune could have represented a perhaps unrepeatable opportunity for the company to lay gas pipes.