Mantova Province Advances with New Asola-Lonato Freight Railway Project
This has been a topic of discussion for some time now, but the project is becoming more concrete. If it becomes operational, it will represent a decidedly unconventional choice in the transportation sector, which is almost exclusively focused on the construction of new roads. We are talking about the idea of building a new freight railway line connecting Asola (via Castelgoffredo), Castiglione delle Stiviere, and Lonato. There is already a preliminary plan for this, but most importantly, there is a significant commitment from the Provincia di Mantova. This is not just talk.
Position of authorities and project details
“Certainly not,” immediately clarifies the mayor of Lonato, Morando Perini. “Let’s say our administration has been interested, and we have listened.” Can you explain better? “The mayor of Ceresara approached us, presenting the need for a railway connection between their artisan community and neighboring areas, including Asola, linked to our railway junction, which is connected to an important line (the Milano-Venezia line). The project aims to create a connection capable of transporting goods from Castelgoffredo and Castiglione, located in an industrial area among the most significant in southern Lombardy, to be later transferred onto the Milan-Venice line.”
What was your response? “That Lonato already has a railway, and we must acknowledge that rail transport is preferable to road transport. Therefore, the project can be submitted for review; we do not want to rule it out entirely. However, any plan must meet essential conditions for Lonato: the study must safeguard the environment and benefit the residents of Lonato, avoiding the creation of transfer hubs between transport networks, and any interconnection with the Milan-Venice railway line should be located on the outskirts of Lonato, towards Calcinato.”
All these precautions are immediate points the ulivista administration wants to bring to the discussion table, to avoid misunderstandings. Furthermore, Lonato will be crossed for 8 kilometers by the future high-speed railway, commonly known as TAV. An enormous project that, according to the mayor himself, will disrupt the area south of the town for about 50 months.
Fortunately, the route will almost entirely run through tunnels between Faccendina and the motorway service area. Regarding the Asola-Lonato line project, opponents could be farmers, as they would once again see their activities compromised.
Current status and connection lines
In total, eight railway junctions have already been designed or are in the early stages of planning within the Mantova province, some of which would also affect areas of Brescia (Carpenedolo and Lonato). The most advanced connection is between Castellucchio station and the Marcegaglia plant in Gazoldo degli Ippoliti.