On 12 February 2024, Anas and the contractor CEC - Consorzio Stabile Europeo Costruttori from Perugia started the works for the opening to traffic of the Guinza tunnel. The tunnel is between the municipalities of Mercatello sul Metauro (PU) and San Giustino (PG) and is part of the works planned for the completion of the E78 Grosseto-Fano route. In particular, the work will make it possible to make a stretch of road of about 10 km - previously completed and including the 6 km-long tunnel - passable in the direction of Umbria, connecting it to the existing local road network.
At the same time, design work continues on the completion of the E78 Grosseto-Fano route, including the construction of the second tube of the tunnel (in the direction of Marche) and the section in the new roadway up to the E45 junction, which will allow it to be opened in both directions in definitive mode.
Anas - in recent years - has explored all possible technical solutions to anticipate the opening to traffic of the Guinza tunnel without having to wait for the completion of the entire route, obviously in compliance with safety regulations for tunnels of this type.
The solution adopted constitutes the first stage of the definitive opening and will at the same time allow immediate benefits for one of the two traffic streams, putting an end to a long wait endured by this area. At the same time, Anas is working on the design of the other lots to complete the itinerary linking the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic, which is of strategic importance for the country and Europe as well as for Central Italy".
In detail, the section in question includes several works that have already been completed, in whole or in part, namely four tunnels (Guinza, Valpiana, Sant'Antonio and the Santa Veronica artificial tunnel) and four viaducts (Valpiana di valle, Sorgente di valle, Pieruccia and Ponte Guinza), interspersed with open sections.
The works mainly concern the Guinza tunnel, with a new inner lining and the installation of the lighting, ventilation and safety systems (water, luminous signalling, SOS). The construction of a pedestrian by-pass between the two existing tubes of the Sant'Antonio tunnel is also planned, as an escape route in the event of a fire, as well as the renovation of the viaducts.
In order to make the work functional, two roundabouts will be built for connection with the existing local roads, represented by the provincial road 200 (Umbria side) and via Cà Lillina (Marche side), which will be upgraded for a stretch of approximately 1 km.
In the next few days, the preliminary activities will begin (worksite and site viability, completion of the clearance of war devices and completion of the ante operam environmental monitoring) in order to be able to begin work inside the tunnels by July. Completion is expected by the end of 2026.
The E78 Grosseto-Fano completion project
The E78 Grosseto-Fano route is about 276 km long in total and extends from the junction with the SS1 Aurelia at Grosseto to the junction with the A14 motorway at Fano, passing through Siena, Valdichiana/A1, Arezzo, Selci Lama/E45 and Urbino.
For the construction of the missing sections, the government appointed an Extraordinary Commissioner with the Prime Ministerial Decree of 16 April 2021. In particular, there are 11 sections for 104 km total extension and a EUR3.9 billion value. In addition to the Guinza tunnel lot, the last two lots of the Siena-Grosseto section are currently under construction, while the final design for the remaining lots is underway or completed. For further information click it/30 for tunnelbuilder archive and visit https://www.stradeanas.it/. 07/24.
