Malcesine to Monte Baldo Cable Car: $40B Project Mid-2002 Completion
Forty billion. That’s the estimated cost to renew the lift system connecting the lakeside center to the 1780-meter Tredes Pin on Monte Baldo. The figure obviously includes all infrastructures linked to the new cable car, which is scheduled to be ready by June 2002.
In an effort to involve local economic operators, the Board of Directors of the Azienda Trasporti Funicolari organized a meeting in the civic hall to outline the latest updates regarding the design. An open, barrier-free dialogue that clarified doubts and concerns from representatives of the Melinian productive sectors, attentive and vigilant about the development and construction timelines of this economic engine of the upper lake area.
Statements from the president and technical details
“I won’t hide from you,” commenced the new president of the funicular consortium, Giuseppe Venturini, “that the issues are multiple and not easy to resolve. However, we are aligning with the schedule that plans for construction to begin in the fall of next year. We have nine months to completely overhaul and reopen the system by early summer 2002.”
One thing is certain: the new cable car will not be just a means of transportation but a true attraction. Its model is based on the one in operation at Titlis, near Lucerne — the only one in the world with rotating cabins. We visited it in April and realized its functionality, coupled with its significant tourist appeal.
Technical details of the system and ancillary services
It was engineer Mario Pedrotti, designer of the system to be built by Funiplan, who went into detail. “In essence, the new cable car will remain a dual-cable system, moving back and forth, but with a different capacity that will be tripled. Passenger capacity will go from the current 200 to 600 per hour, thanks to two different types of cabins.”
This will eliminate long queues at the intermediate station of San Michele. In the first section, traditional cabins with a capacity of 45 people will be used, while in the second segment, rotating cabins with a capacity of up to eighty units will be introduced.
This system allows passengers, during the ascent, to admire the landscape in 360 degrees thanks to the slow rotational movement of the cabin’s base. For those who prefer to stay static on their feet, it will be enough to sit toward the center of the vessel.
Supporting infrastructures and services
Along with the cable car, an underground parking lot of approximately 200 spaces will be built at the base of the lower station. On the surface, an area will be created for the stopping (not parking) of buses.
Up at the top of the lift system, after its construction, a bar-restaurant and a multi-purpose room will be built. An exhibition and conference hall capable of accommodating up to 150 people if needed.
Community feedback and expectations
The town’s productive forces are more than satisfied with the new structure but have nonetheless raised questions and sought reassurances regarding the construction timelines. “A justified fear,” stated Raffaele Petrucci, president of the merchants, “given the setbacks of recent months with the La Colma chairlift and the underpass on Gardesana.”
Positive opinions came from Ugo Treccani, president of the hoteliers, and Vittorio Dapretto, a member of Malcesine Più. However, he raised the issue of traffic: “The road leading to the cable car is too narrow. We risk having a stunning system but a terrible access.”
Franco Zanetti, president of the Young Hoteliers, was also present at the meeting.