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Italy backs high-speed rail stop for Lake Garda, funding sought
🇮🇹 Italy /Energy & Infrastructure

Italy backs high-speed rail stop for Lake Garda, funding sought

From Corriere della Sera · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Italy's Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini confirmed a positive cost-benefit analysis for a new high-speed rail station near San Martino della Battaglia on Lake Garda.
  • The project aims to connect the popular tourist region to the high-speed network as the Brescia-Verona line nears completion.
  • Funding remains a challenge, as initial resources were reallocated, but efforts are underway to secure financing and integrate the station into infrastructure plans.

A proposed high-speed rail (TAV) station near San Martino della Battaglia on Lake Garda has received a positive assessment from Italy's Minister of Infrastructure, Matteo Salvini. The confirmation follows an updated cost-benefit analysis, signaling support for integrating the popular tourist area into the high-speed network.

The project, which involves a new station near Desenzano, is gaining urgency as the new Brescia-Verona high-speed line is slated to begin operation by the end of 2026. Without a dedicated stop, high-speed trains would bypass the Garda region, a significant tourist destination attracting over 28 million visitors annually.

The Garda cannot remain outside of high-speed rail.

— Matteo SalviniMinister Salvini confirmed the positive cost-benefit analysis for the new high-speed rail stop.

Senator Paola Mancini of Fratelli d'Italia has been a vocal advocate for the station, emphasizing its importance beyond infrastructure. "A TAV station is not just an infrastructure," Mancini stated. "It is a recognition that Garda is an economic and tourist system of European significance." The technical and economic feasibility study for the station is complete, and the cost-benefit analysis has yielded positive results, though updated cost estimates now exceed 210 million euros.

A TAV station is not just an infrastructure. It is a recognition that Garda is an economic and tourist system of European significance.

— Paola ManciniSenator Paola Mancini explained the broader importance of the proposed station.

The primary obstacle is securing funding. Initial resources were temporarily diverted to other projects under the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) due to rising costs during the early design phases. The Ministry is currently assessing the technical and financial conditions required to reintroduce the station into the national infrastructure programming.

Regional councilor Claudia Carzeri and Senator Adriano Paroli are also actively involved, with Paroli submitting a parliamentary inquiry. Carzeri noted, "Positive signals are coming from the Ministry; now we need to move forward on resources." However, some environmental groups and center-left politicians oppose the project, arguing it would slow down high-speed trains and suggesting improvements to the existing historic Milan-Venice line instead.

Positive signals are coming from the Ministry; now we need to move forward on resources. The station would be strategic for Garda and for the province of Brescia.

— Claudia CarzeriRegional councilor Claudia Carzeri commented on the progress and need for funding.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Corriere della Sera in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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