Ponte Arche variant

Over the years, Ponte Arche has become the economic and tourist hub of the Giudicarie Esteriori, owing to its central location within the area.

For this reason, the main road running through the spa resort has become inadequate for the needs of the neighbouring valleys, as it is the only route connecting the entire Giudicarie region with the provincial capital.

The S-478 project aims to construct a bypass around the town of Ponte Arche via a diversion from the current route of the SS237 del Caffaro, between approximately kilometre markers 98+000 and 102+000, in the municipalities of Comano Terme and Stenico.

Specifically, the project is situated between the area to the west of the village of Ponte Arche and the Ponte dei Servi, mainly on the left bank of the River Sarca, so as to divert traffic onto a route outside the built-up areas.

The project involves constructing a large part of the route through a natural tunnel, given the complex topography of the area, the presence of built-up areas in the valley floor and the tourist resorts specialising in spa treatments.

The entrance and exit areas, as well as the sections connecting to the existing road network, are open-air sections located outside the built-up areas.

Specifically, the junction with the S.S. 237 is located at the Rio Sorgente Spiazzi and is designed as a roundabout. To cross the River Sarca, a mixed steel-concrete bridge with a continuous girder structure is planned, resting on a central pier in the riverbed and approximately 150 metres long.

At the tunnel’s exit, approximately 200 metres west of the Ponte dei Servi, a steel bridge approximately 100 metres long will be built to cross the Limarò gorge.

Overall, the completion of this project will improve road conditions, bringing benefits not only to road users through increased safety on the route, but also to local residents, thanks to reduced air and noise pollution. The aim of this project is, in fact, to ensure service levels and safety standards appropriate to the role of the proposed road link, whilst limiting land take as much as possible and minimising the environmental impact associated with the construction of the new route, with particular attention paid to respecting and safeguarding existing thermal springs.

The completion of the project will bring a further benefit, as the current section of road between the spa and the Ponte dei Servi will be restricted to emergency vehicles only in the event of an emergency, thus allowing it to be redeveloped as a cycle tourism route.

Expected completion date: 29 December 2029