Garda Community Evaluates Traffic and Road Solutions After Landslides

Considering the traffic issues related to the Benacense area and, in particular, the situation of the SS 45 bis following recent landslides and mudslides, the president of the Comunità del Garda, Giuseppe Mongiello, states that the Community will aim to evaluate the overall situation of the entire Gardesane road network, both primary and secondary or alternative, in a specific and technical manner. This is to enable a comprehensive, effective, and thorough approach to address and resolve the related problems.

In this regard, the entity will promote, within this year, an interregional conference on the subject, which will bring together the Authorities involved in political, administrative, scientific, and urban planning roles.

Immediate Decisions and Interventions

The emergency caused by the landslide on SS 45 bis necessitates urgent decisions and the adoption of administrative and legislative measures that cannot be postponed. In this context, while welcoming the political and financial commitments of the Provincia Autonoma di Trento (galleria and works on the Riva del Garda – Limone segment), of the ANAS Lombardia (safety measures and barrier installations on the Salò – Limone stretch), and of the Provincia di Brescia (maintenance and improvement interventions on the alternative mountain roads Tignale – Tremosine – Limone), it is also evident that the need and urgency of reaching a definitive solution through substantial interventions respecting the environment and the territorial peculiarities of the affected area cannot be overlooked.

This is why the Montana Community of Parco Alto Garda Bresciano is still debating based on detailed guidelines.

Possible Closures and Economic Measures

In light of the potential and unfortunate hypothesis of a long-term closure of the Riva del Garda – Limone section of SS 45 bis, leading to the isolation of the Communes of Limone and the upper Garda area, it seems necessary to collectively undertake any useful initiative, both administrative and legislative, to alleviate the severe economic damage that such a disruption would cause to the populations of these territories.

Given the area’s very high tourism appeal, which attracts several million visitors annually, and the understandable economic damage to public entities and private operators, a hypothetical closure of SS 45 bis effectively puts the affected territory in a state of emergency, comparable to a natural catastrophe event.

Only a national ad hoc law could, even partially, help mitigate this economic hardship. For the success of such an initiative, collaboration among all Garda Institutions and Political Forces is essential.

Alternative Connections and Complementary Measures

It also seems very useful to enhance the connections between Limone – Riva and Limone – Malcesine using Navigarda boats (ferries and motor ships). In this regard, it is urgently necessary to press the Veneto Region and the Comune di Malcesine to complete the “Retelino” dock as soon as possible.

In any case, the use of nautical transport should be considered complementary and not a substitute for the road network.

Finally, it must be acknowledged that this very delicate issue, especially the critical Limone node, causes significant concern not only for the community and economy of Limone but also for the entire Garda basin. The area’s overall image on international markets could be severely damaged and irreparably impoverished.

The President and the Steering Committee are available to initiate coordination efforts deemed appropriate regarding this vital matter concerning Benacense road traffic, a strategically critical topic for the economic development of the Garda territory.