Milan, May 3 – The Santa Giulia Arena, a key venue for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, is now transitioning to its next phase as a concert venue. This week marks the beginning of a series of musical events, with Ligabue scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, and Annalisa on Saturday, May 9. These high-profile artists are expected to draw large crowds, testing the arena’s infrastructure and the city’s traffic management plans.
The Dual Challenge for Milan’s Municipality
The Municipality of Milan is focusing on two primary objectives: ensuring efficient ingress and egress for concert-goers, and safeguarding parking for local residents. To address these concerns, two distinct Limited Traffic Zones (ZTLs) will be implemented around the arena: a ‘red’ zone directly at its base and a ‘yellow’ zone in the immediate vicinity.
Red Zone: Restricted Access for Concert Attendees
The red ZTL will be active from 7:00 AM on the day of a concert until 2:00 AM the following morning. Access to this zone will be limited to individuals who have pre-booked parking for the event. Motorcycles and bicycles will be permitted to reach their designated parking areas. To prevent congestion, separate access routes will be established for the North and South parking facilities.
Yellow Zone: Prioritizing Residents and Local Businesses
The yellow ZTL will be in effect from 2:00 PM on concert days until the end of the event. This zone will be accessible only to motorcycles, bicycles, and authorized vehicles, including those belonging to residents, domiciliates, owners of commercial activities, or individuals heading to local schools.
Public Transport and Shuttle Services
To facilitate transportation, the M3 and M4 metro lines, with the closest stations being Rogoredo and Repetti, will extend their operating hours until 1:30 AM. Additionally, shuttle services will be available to transport attendees to and from the arena, aiming to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Testing the Olympic Legacy
The launch of concerts at the Santa Giulia Arena serves as a crucial test for the Olympic legacy, which also includes future plans for the Live Dome in Rho. While the Olympic flame has been extinguished, the success of these initial events will determine if the spotlight can truly remain on these venues as sustainable cultural hubs for the city.
Source: https://milanopavia.news/news-milano/milano-larena-santa-giulia-sul-banco-di-prova-al-via-i-concerti-tutti-i-nodi-sulla-viabilita/
