Port Improvements in Lake Garda and Iseo Receive Over €2.4 Billion Investment

Interventions and goals of port works

“The works include dredging, port redevelopment, and pier enhancements,” announced Commissioner Pozzi. This is part of a broader strategy to increase attention to waterways, not only for tourism purposes but also for daily transportation of residents and goods,”.

This objective has already been embraced in the lower Lake Garda area. Sirmione, for instance, has planned to develop a water transportation link between Colombare and the historic center to reduce car congestion in the old town. Desenzano’s traffic plan also proposes water connections between Rivoltella and the port, aiming to keep vehicles on the outskirts of the town.

Projects and funding

The Regional Navigation Office of Desenzano, which initially proposed the projects included in the plan, has now prepared the detailed plans in agreement with local Brescia authorities. These will be submitted to the Regione Lombardia by the end of March, as scheduled. Having already secured the necessary funding, the next steps will involve issuing the tenders and starting construction work.

Ongoing projects and investments

Let’s take a look at the projects currently in progress. Nearly half a billion euros will be spent on installing fire safety systems in all 28 public and port areas along the Brescia Riviera of Garda, which has a capacity of 1,580 boat slips. For Garda, 100 million euros are allocated for maintenance, while 250 million will go toward expanding and upgrading the Rivoltella port.

Additionally, 450 million euros are allocated for completing the ferry dock in Limone. This pier, now nearing completion, will allow vehicles to board ferries, providing a practical alternative to the main road, the only route connecting Limone to Riva del Garda and Trentino. The road is old and prone to frequent landslides and mountain collapses, which, as experienced about a year ago, can completely isolate Limone and other towns from Trentino and Germany during major landslides, severely impacting the holiday industry, the primary source of employment and income in the Upper Garda communities.

On Lake Iseo, besides ongoing maintenance work, efforts will be made to upgrade the quayside of the industrial port of Iseo. e.mor.