BOLZANO. Bolzano is preparing for the goose chase. Introduction: the major excavation for the garage in Piazza Vittoria will begin in a few months and we need to prepare a traffic scheme that takes this into account. Thus, the other evening in the road commission, this scenario was designed and envisages the transformation of the current urban quadrant of Corso Libertà into a “ring” that goes around the square. In short, here it is.
Private cars
Private cars – those of non-residents - will start from Corso Italia entering Via Cesare Battisti, will travel along it until the roundabout in front of the Monument, will enter towards Piazza IV Novembre to travel along a stretch of Via Diaz, go down on the left onto Via Manci and then reconnect on Piazza Mazzini-Corso Italia.
Buses and heavy traffic
The other part of the news concerns Corso Libertà: only buses and heavy traffic will pass along its axis, see trucks. Therefore, that “boulevard” will not become cycle and pedestrian only as had been hypothesized by previous councils. «It is a compromise between the construction site needs and the road requirements» explains councilor Stefano Fattor. And this quite creative way out – the Corso Italia-via Diaz ring – was supported by Stefano Ciurnelli, the urban planning engineer who in recent years has been called as a consultant by the Municipality: «It is the least invasive solution» he said at the conclusion of the project exhibition. Ivan Moroder, municipal engineer, added: «The transit permit for trucks along the Corso Libertà axis will be permitted until and no later than the construction of the Monte Tondo tunnel». By then all trucks will be excluded from the urban circuit. Doing a bit of math, the circular solution will continue for at least two years, the time to complete the least impactful part of the construction site for the garage, while to see the trucks disappear from the street and from Piazza Vittoria, we will have to wait at least 8/ 9 years minimum, given the current timetable prepared for the excavation of the Monte Tondo tunnel.
Touch-ups for the “ring”
«Be careful however – adds the traffic councilor – because in the next few weeks we will delve into some specific elements of this “ring” scenario, trying to move to streamline traffic as much as possible». Where, it is easy to say: this tour around the square, in fact, is planned to be one-way. In practice, anyone who takes it from Corso Italia towards Ponte Talvera will only be able to do so in this south-north direction; and therefore anyone wishing to get to Talvera from Via Diaz will not be able to do so in the direction of the shortest route but will be able to get there from Corso Italia-Via Battisti. «Here – he adds – on this point we are verifying whether there is the possibility of managing the shorter directions in a two-way manner». The overall idea of the project is, if it could be observed from a drone, the transformation of these road axes from Corso Libertà to the Monument to Via Diaz into a sort of large roundabout that can be circumvented in only one direction. However, the fact that this is a possible solution is explained by the fact that the construction site for the garage will not be a walk in the park. So much so that even today some doors are kept open: «The tender notice is about to be published, we still don’t know how many and who will participate – comments Fattor – so we are proceeding in parallel, between the process for the construction site and traffic solutions that take it into account.” Among other things, it seems that the engineering scheme being thought of for the excavation is a direct “attack” on the ground in the first phase (“The first underground floor” specifies the councilor) and then moving in depth after having closed the surface with a metal “floor” that would isolate the works from the square itself. However, two certainties remain, even a few months after the implementation of the road scheme: the ring to get around the square, with the still uncertainty whether it will be entirely one-way or only partially, its being intended for non-residents in the quadrant and the transformation of Corso Libertà into an axis reserved for buses and heavy traffic.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Urban Planning Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re discussing an exciting yet challenging transformation in Bolzano, specifically the construction of the new garage in Piazza Vittoria and its impact on local traffic. Joining us is urban planning expert Stefano Ciurnelli, who has been closely involved with this project. Thank you for joining us, Stefano!
Ciurnelli: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here and share insights into this significant urban development.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The excavation for the new garage is set to begin shortly. What can residents expect in terms of traffic changes around Piazza Vittoria during this period?
Ciurnelli: Great question! As construction begins, we’ve designed a new traffic scheme to minimize disruption. The plan is to create a one-way “ring” starting from Corso Italia, which will channel non-resident vehicles through a series of routes to navigate around the square. This aims to ease the flow of traffic while accommodating the needs of the construction site.
Editor: It sounds intricate! Can you detail how private cars will navigate the area?
Ciurnelli: Certainly! Private vehicles will enter from Corso Italia, proceed through Via Cesare Battisti, circle around the Monument, and make their way toward Piazza IV Novembre. They will then follow Via Diaz and Via Manci before reconnecting to Piazza Mazzini. This routing should alleviate congestion and keep traffic moving as smoothly as possible during the construction.
Editor: What about public transport? How will buses and heavy traffic be handled?
Ciurnelli: Buses and heavy vehicles, including trucks, will have designated paths along Corso Libertà. Initially, it was proposed to create a pedestrian and cycle-friendly area, but due to the construction needs, we identified this approach as the most viable temporary solution. The goal is to create a balanced compromise that meets both infrastructure requirements and city accessibility demands.
Editor: That makes sense. Now, this “ring” structure you mentioned, is it set in stone, or do you foresee any modifications as this plan unfolds?
Ciurnelli: Like any urban project, flexibility is key. We will continue to assess the effectiveness of this traffic scheme over the coming weeks. There’s room for adjustments, particularly around one-way traffic flows and identifying potential two-way paths that could simplify access while maintaining safety. This is an ongoing process, and we’re committed to optimizing traffic movement.
Editor: Speaking of optimization, the timeline indicates this construction might take up to nine years before trucks are fully removed from the area. How do we ensure that residents’ concerns are addressed throughout this lengthy project?
Ciurnelli: Communication with the community is crucial. We plan to keep residents informed through regular updates and forums where they can voice their concerns and feedback. Engaging the public will help us tailor solutions that meet their needs while also ensuring efficiency in the ongoing works.
Editor: That’s a proactive approach. As the project progresses, how do you envision the long-term benefits for Bolzano in terms of urban mobility?
Ciurnelli: Ultimately, the goal of this transformation is to create a more user-friendly urban environment. By enhancing traffic patterns and reducing congestion, we will improve air quality, promote pedestrian activity, and enhance overall quality of life for residents. This development is about much more than just a garage; it’s about reshaping our city for the future.
Editor: Thank you, Stefano, for shedding light on this critical project. It’s evident that a lot of thought has gone into planning, and we look forward to seeing how these changes enhance Bolzano’s urban landscape.
Ciurnelli: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to see how this evolves, and I encourage everyone to stay engaged as we navigate these changes together.