Gargnano Initiates Urban Renovation: Parking, Sidewalks, and Wastewater Projects
Gargnano is set to change its appearance, with scheduled works that have been planned for some time, starting in the town center and beyond, which are beginning in these days. These interventions, in some cases, are likely to raise new protests or revive already known ones.
New Works in the Center of Gargnano
The main novelty concerns the multi-story parking lot that will be built in piazzale Boldini, the area where buses stop. Excavators will be at work on Monday, October 8th. It will inevitably cause some disruption for public service buses and private ones, which will no longer be able to rely on the current roundabout to turn around.
They will have to continue northward, up to the height of the «Meandro» hotel, and make a maneuver there, possible for vehicles up to 12 meters in length. As a result, the double-decker bus, mainly used by students, will cease to operate.
Travelers will face no changes: they will need to wait at the usual spot in piazzale Boldini. It is expected that congestion will occur when more than one bus is parked or waiting to depart (on Gardesana). «The new parking lot will provide 66 parking spaces, and the project leaves open the possibility for expansion up to the former Oleificio site,» explains Mayor Marcello Festa.
The Project Details and Ongoing Works
The roundabout will be leveled, creating two floors. The project, designed by Stefano Molgora, foresees two ramps for entry and exit, perpendicular to the state road. «Once the works are completed (June 2002), the surface of the parking lot will return to its current state, and buses will regain the ability to maneuver.»
In the municipality’s parking plan, this is the first phase, as they are also considering another parking area behind the Fontanelle public park. But this will take considerable time. The cost of the piazzale Boldini parking lot? One billion and 400 million lire, financed with a twenty-year loan.
Almost simultaneously with the construction of the parking lot, work will begin (on October 15th) to remove architectural barriers in the historic center, a project planned by Francesco Magri and long decided. Concerns have been raised, primarily regarding the cost (totaling 430 million lire) and the actual outcome (some argue it is mainly urban furniture).
«We will start with the first phase,» the mayor continues, «beginning from the shoe store to the university. We will renovate the sidewalk, refashioning it with red Verona stone, meeting standard dimensions (1.20 meters), so that both a stroller and a pedestrian can pass simultaneously.» No interruptions to traffic are expected, except occasionally, and a new sidewalk will be built in via XXIV Maggio, between the intersection with via Primo Adami and the university.
Interventions in the Hamlets and Outlets on Wastewater
«This will also be a good opportunity to assess the situation of the decantation basins located in the square. We are exploring the possibility of directing the wastewater directly into the pipeline of Consorzio Garda Uno.» The work is scheduled to finish by next summer, but the timelines could be accelerated significantly.
Some additional projects are planned in the hamlets. In Formaga, the work will continue on renovating the country road running through the village, paving it up to the chapel and replacing the technological and sewage networks, at a cost of about one hundred million lire. The project starts on October 15th and must be finished by Christmas.
In Villavetro, a small parking lot will be set up (works beginning at the start of November), near the curve. It will accommodate 11 vehicles. However, concerns remain about the risks related to exiting the parking area.
«It’s not the best solution, but we will address it with proper signage. Not to mention that, in this way, the road will remain free,» concludes the mayor. The paving of Formaga and the parking lot of Villavetro were designed by the Technical Office.
