Residents Question Effectiveness of New Bypass Controls in Arco

What sense could it possibly make to spend a hefty dozen-plus billion euros constructing a bypass with the precise goal of entirely eliminating heavy and light traffic passing through the city, if no one actually monitors whether the drivers of oversized trucks and passing cars are truly using the new, rational alternative route?

Eight days after the opening of the southern section of the bypass, residents of via Santa Caterina, via Venezia, and via Narzelle on the southern outskirts of Arco are questioning this. They are given the daily opportunity to verify that the ban on transit for trucks over eight tons is often ignored, especially by vehicles coming from the north toward the western part of Busa.

Light traffic continues to flow heavily along the old route, keeping anxious those who have been waiting for years to finally enjoy the road in front of their homes without constant risk.

Signage and controls

In some cases, delays in updating signage also create confusion for road users regarding the correct route, as in the case of the large sign that, coming up from Riva and located about two hundred meters from the roundabout, is supposed to encourage turning right to access the bypass, but stubbornly still indicates that to reach Trento and Dro, one must go straight ahead as before.

Letters of protest have also been written, demanding that, now that the initial phase has passed—during which a lenient approach was rightly applied—the municipal police implement stricter controls and related sanctions.

Violations and residents’ requests

According to residents of via Santa Caterina, via Narzelle, and via Venezia, violations of the ban occur most frequently in the early morning hours and after sunset.

Meanwhile, other drivers continue to prefer the old route throughout day and night, especially those heading north or intending to go north.

They are therefore requesting the extension of the ban to trucks under eight tons and are calling for particular surveillance of loud motorcycles, which during this period of open windows and seeking some relief, race through at high speeds, completely undisturbed.