Trentino Province Aims to Reopen Gardesana Tunnel by Early July

Designing, tendering, and constructing a one-kilometer tunnel within six months could already demonstrate extraordinary efficiency for a public entity: even more so if it is an autonomous province that has the possibility to take some shortcuts. However, in recent days it seems that the already impressive deadlines set for the reopening of the section between Riva and Limone on the Western Gardesana are no longer sufficient.

Signs of urgency from the Province

From the provincial leadership – headed by President Dellai – clear signals have been received that the possibility of traffic resuming as early as the first weekend of July would be highly appreciated. Consequently, technicians and workers are striving to work even faster. The landslide buried the old route on December 22. It was not the first: it was the one that silenced those hoping for yet another patch on the old road and led to an entirely new, drastic alternative.

Since that day, only six months have passed, and the province has managed to design the project (seventy billion lire), organize the documents, and proceed with the tender. No one could reasonably doubt the efficiency of Trentino’s autonomy, at least when it comes to roads, given these credentials. The company Collini-Oberosler, according to the terms of the contract, has until July 27 to deliver the drivable road (with work continuing in autumn for finishing touches).

Progress and challenges on the construction site

The site management believed that an advance of about two weeks in reopening to traffic was possible, given the rapid progress of excavation: this weekend, the southern section of the tunnel is scheduled for completion, while the northern section, towards Riva, which is longer, will have to wait until June 10. Saving 15 days also means a 300 million lire bonus for the company. Ideally, they would like to cut another week off.

The technicians are evaluating, and work continues relentlessly, day and night. The main issue is the duct for the tunnel’s lighting. Installing it immediately would be the most logical and cost-effective approach, but it requires more work and thus more time. Ags, the company, and the province are discussing this to find a balanced solution. Difficult, but not impossible.