ROME, May 21 – Via Giannetto Valli, a road in Rome’s Portuense district infamous for its recurrent landslides and closures over the past three decades, is finally slated for a full reopening. The announcement follows the allocation of additional funds and the assignment of works to address the underlying geological issues.
A History of Instability and Closures
For residents of the Portuense quadrant, Via Giannetto Valli has been a persistent source of frustration. Since the 1990s, sections of the road have been repeatedly closed and reopened due to ground collapses. For nearly two decades, the final stretch, leading to Via Alberto Mancini, has been permanently closed to traffic with concrete barriers and fences.
Valerio Garipoli, Group Leader of FdI in Municipio XI, explained to our newspaper that the closures were a direct consequence of severe criticalities caused by extensive underground cavities. These subterranean voids have led to numerous landslips, with the most recent significant incidents occurring in April and June 2023.
During that spring, a retaining wall collapsed, and in the summer, a section of a building’s perimeter wall also gave way, resulting in a substantial water leak that flooded a large part of the street. These events underscored the urgent need for comprehensive intervention.
Project Approval and Funding Challenges
In response to the recurring issues, the Department of Infrastructure and Public Works of Roma Capitale approved an executive project in 2023 for the consolidation of the underground cavities. This project was then submitted to the Lazio Region, the institution responsible for implementing the intervention.
Initially, however, it became apparent that the existing resources were insufficient to finance the project. To overcome this hurdle, the Capitoline Junta, at the initiative of the Councillor for Public Works and Infrastructure of Roma Capitale, Ornella Segnalini, allocated an additional 1.2 million euros. This new funding supplements the approximately 3.2 million euros already earmarked in 2020.
“Finally, supplementary resources have been found in addition to the funds already allocated in 2020,” confirmed Valerio Garipoli in a statement. “The Lazio Region, to which the executive project had already been delivered, issued the tender and has now assigned the works for Via Giannetto Valli to a company.”
Timeline for Reopening and Future Monitoring
Once the works commence, the estimated timeframe for filling the cavities and reactivating the conduits and underground utilities is approximately six to seven months. The Lazio Region announced the assignment of the tender at the end of April, calculating that the works would begin within a few weeks. This timeline suggests that the road could reopen to traffic by early 2027.
Garipoli emphasized the importance of overseeing the project’s progress. “It will be our responsibility to monitor the various phases of the works. From filling the underground cavities, to checking the underground utilities, from restoring the sewage system to resurfacing the road,” he stated.
Impact on Local Traffic and Residents
The reopening of Via Giannetto Valli is expected to bring significant changes to the local traffic flow. For over 15 years, the road has functioned as a cul-de-sac, primarily used by residents of adjacent buildings for parking.
Emiliano Castellino, Councillor for Transport and Mobility of Municipio XI, indicated that discussions regarding the new traffic configuration are still in their early stages. “The main objective is to ensure maximum safety and traffic fluidity in the quadrant,” Castellino explained.
To achieve this, consultations are planned with the Marconi Group of the Local Police and the Department of Sustainable Mobility and Transport of Roma Capitale, which is responsible for regulating Via Alberto Mancini. Castellino also assured that efforts would be made to preserve parking spaces for residents. “I want to emphasize that we will work to ensure that the solutions adopted allow for the maintenance of car parking, thus protecting the needs of the residents of the area.”
The resolution of this long-standing issue will be welcome news for residents, who will need to be protected from the inevitable changes in traffic on the street and the potential impact on parking availability. Authorities have pledged to keep the public informed about the progress of the works and expressed hope that the announced timelines will be met.
