Traffic
The Plöcken Pass road has been closed for seven months following a massive rockfall. On Tuesday, controlled blasting was carried out in this area for the first time, removing a rock overhang at Monte Croce. However, further blasts and safety measures are necessary, it was stated.
On December 2, a part of Monte Croce collapsed and blocked the road. Due to the ongoing risk of further rockfalls, a safety blast was conducted on Tuesday for the first time. The border crossing at an altitude of 1,350 meters had to be broadly cordoned off.
Blasting at Plöcken Pass
Blast went according to plan
The Friulian President Massimiliano Fedriga announced the event widely on social media. The blasting team prepared everything for the explosion in the morning. A rock above the road had to be removed. At 2:00 PM, the detonation took place. Tons of material slid down into the depths and back onto the road. Everything went according to plan.
Additional rockfall nets necessary
This is unlikely to be the last blast. “No, I don’t think so at all. There is more material up there and more material will come down. Therefore, several more blasts will certainly need to be conducted to ensure that no new rock material falls onto the gallery or onto the Plöcken Pass road,” said geologist Peter Schönlaub.
In addition to further blasting, additional rockfall nets must be installed. Only then will it be possible to repair the road on the Italian side. Whether this will be possible this year is questionable. For the geologist, it is clear that the thinly layered limestone can break again and again.