Lake Garda Road Crisis: Urgent Repairsand Infrastructure Proposals
Continuing like this is no longer possible. The reports are unanimous. The road conditions around Lake Garda’s mid-to-high area have become a sieve, requiring urgent intervention. Landslides, mudslides, disruptions. Drivers are forced to seek alternative routes, winding through alleys and paths. Chaos. Limone paid the price in February ’99, when a pensioner died. But now it is once again isolated. In its predicament, it has the advantage of being able to go to Riva, where Brescia students attend schools, or to Rovereto in case of medical emergencies.
In two weeks, Toscolano Maderno has had to clear two landslides, one south and one north of the town. Fortunately, at those moments, no vehicles were passing. Concerns are growing, along with protests and complaints. A truly precarious situation.
Proposals and opinions on road conditions
“The only solution,” states Paolo Rossi, president of Brescia hoteliers and co-owner of the Laurin hotel in Salò, “is the construction of the Pedemontana. The issue with Route 45 bis, which forms the backbone of our economy based on tourism, continues to worsen. Every year, we await spring with bated breath because we don’t know if it’s passable in summer.”
In the past, a proposal was made to build a new Gardesana, framing the lake’s perimeter. Still a valid solution. The current road, as reiterated by engineer Riccardo Cozzaglio, is built on a perfect balance and should not be altered. It would be like walking on glass. I believe that a major artery can be constructed while respecting the territory.”
Rossi argues that “the stabilizations with exposed concrete and ongoing patchwork have damaged Route 45 bis. In my opinion, the future lies with Pedemontana.” The mayor of Toscolano Maderno, Paolo Elena, proposes a tunnel from Tormini to Gargnano, to be built under a concession system, similar to an autostrada.
“I lack the technical expertise to give a definitive answer. The fact remains that some time ago, at a meeting in Darfo Boario, the President of the Province, Cavalli, stated that if the works were entrusted to private companies (and not to Anas), they would cost half as much. And the work would be completed in a quarter of the time.”
Rossi recalls that, often, the association has to step in regarding road issues, to stigmatize and protest. The last time was in February ’99, during the Limone landslide. “And the hoteliers of that town even committed financially,” he repeats, “in order for the road to be reopened quickly.”
A Gardesana in a frame, then, transforming the current one “into a garden-park, a sort of museum to be traveled leisurely, as an added value for tourism.”