Gardesana Road Closure: Local Officials and Engineers Discuss Solutions
Geologists and politicians busy around the western Gardesana. From a technical perspective, after yesterday’s inspection, the Anas officials will contact the Prefecture of Brescia this morning to study forms and methods of closing the Nanzel section, south of Limone. It is likely that the opening times will change, with they being anticipated. The mayors of Limone (Battista Martinelli) and Tremosine (Diego Ardigò) have asked for nighttime opening, subject to the presence of patrols tasked with signaling potential landslides and blocking traffic. In this way, the experience tested since December 22 until a few days ago, before work resumed after the last holidays, would be extended.
Anas has set Easter Eve as the final date to complete the works, but if no other setbacks occur, it should finish earlier. Politicians also participated yesterday, in the Montane Community of Alto Garda Park. President Bruno Faustini outlined the conclusions of the meeting held in Trento (Bresciaoggi covered it in yesterday’s edition), between Brescia-based politicians led by Alberto Cavalli, President of the Province, and their Trentino colleagues.
Situation and projects regarding road traffic
On the table is the situation of the closure between Limone and Riva. There is a significant risk that, while waiting for the new 1250-meter tunnel, the current 45 bis will remain closed until mid-2002. Accelerating the work schedule, starting in October, would still require between twelve and sixteen months, provided the contractor can use the current Gardesana, cleared of vehicles.
“The Montane Community has commissioned a geological survey to engage with Trento both from a technical and political perspective,” explained President Faustini, who added: “Within three or four days, the Province and the Montane Community will appoint a qualified technician to work alongside a Trentino professional in studying the conditions of Gardesana.”
Prospects? “There has been talk of permanent human monitoring of the landslide area, also with the help of technical equipment, with monitored openings during certain hours of the day.” The occasion was also used to review the situation of some tunnels (particularly the two-kilometer ogive-shaped tunnels), which pose considerable difficulties for the simultaneous transit of two vehicles, especially buses.
Faustini shared some figures: “Widening the ogive-shaped summit would cost about 5 million per meter, totaling roughly 7-10 billion for the two kilometers. Consider that one kilometer of normal tunnel costs around 25-30 billion. Lowering the road by 50-70 centimeters would cost 1 million per meter, totaling about two billion.”
Followed by political analyses: “We lack prominent political figures,” (Renato Cobelli from Salò, who called for an assembly meeting), while Daniela Vassalini (Toscolano Maderno) recalled “the fragmentation of the territory and the difficulty of traveling through it normally. Strong actions are needed from mayors and supra-municipal entities.”
Guido Tosi (Limone) mentioned some figures: “Currently, there are 24 construction sites in Limone, which rely on supplies from Trentino. It’s unthinkable to halt Limone’s economy, but also that of Tremosine, Tignale, and Gargnano.” Resolving the Gardesana issue definitively requires, it was reaffirmed, funding through an extraordinary law of the State (300-350 billion lire).
And the Cee? “They finance interventions exceeding 100 billion lire, and at most one such project would be available for Lombardy,” Faustini concluded – “we will try.” Another promise: Montane Community and Province will financially support families of students and workers affected by the road closure.