Landslide Near Riva Prompts Tunnel Plan to Mitigate Impact
Everything is silent about the landslide that occurred last Friday on the western Gardesana, at the gates of Riva. But it is only an apparent silence because, even if no technicians or geologists have been seen in recent hours, in the lower Sarca and Limone, discussions about it are ongoing.
What is alarming everyone is the news regarding the decision of the Provincia to definitively retire the stretch of main road affected by the landslide and proceed with the construction of a tunnel through the mountain. A tunnel that would definitively solve many problems, yes, but to build it, at best, would require at least a year and a half.
With all the inconvenience and economic repercussions that would follow for Limone and Riva.
Interventions and planned meetings
This morning, in the meantime, discussions will resume between Riva and Trento to carefully assess the situation and plan initial interventions. In the coming days (the exact date has not yet been set), the mayor of Riva, Cesare Malossini, and the mayor of Limone, Giovan Battista Martinelli, will travel to Trento to discuss the serious situation.
Everyone agrees on a definitive solution to the problem, but no one hides the strong concerns about the time required to complete the work.
Many residents of Limone work in the lower Sarca, and dozens of students commute daily to Riva to attend high school classes, not to mention that hotels, restaurants, and bars are supplied by wholesalers from lower Trentino.
Economic impact and image
Furthermore, the disaster would be completed by the economic and image damages caused by the isolation of the Brescia tourist resort during the upcoming summer season (at best).
Meanwhile, adding to the bleak outlook, the large gate that, Saturday afternoon, the provincial roads department placed at the entrance of the first tunnel offers little hope for alternative solutions.
It may be a coincidence, but it looks identical to the one installed at the beginning of the now dying Ponale.
Developments and measures in progress
“Engineer Bortollotti and the technicians who flew over the landslide area in a helicopter on Saturday morning,” explains Riva’s deputy mayor, Pietro Matteotti, confirming the impression that the provincial decision is now irrevocable, “were convinced that it is impossible to make that section of the slope safe.
Only solution? The tunnel. Therefore, during the construction, the service of Navigarda connecting Limone and Riva will need to be greatly enhanced, with boats operating day and night.
In the daytime, with uninterrupted shuttle service, and at night, at least one trip every hour.”