Now it’s fixed: In summer 2023, a one-way system will be introduced on the Stelvio Pass. The administration of the National Park and the governments of the three bordering regions South Tyrol, Lombardy and Grisons have reached an agreement after long negotiations – „Stelvio 2023“ is finally becoming reality.
Dear Friends – THAT was my satirical contribution to the 1st of April.
Please don’t take it too seriously 😉
In the March vote of the management committee of the Stelvio National Park and those responsible for the Strada Statale 38 dello Stelvio, the difficult negotiations on the future traffic design on Italy’s highest mountain pass came to a successful end. In the presence of international traffic experts, a concept was adopted that is forward-looking for all sectors of the bordering regions and, above all, for the unique landscape of the Ortler area.
The toll solution for crossing the pass, which had been discussed again and again – and unsuccessfully – for decades, was finally discarded as early as autumn 2022. Instead, under the working title „Stelvio 2023“, the responsible have rethought the increasingly important issue of sustainable traffic management in the high mountains from the ground up – and have now been able to adopt a coordinated new regulation, to the delight of all involved.
New
traffic routing
The ordinance, which will come into force at the end of the winter closure, i.e. presumably from Saturday, 20 May 2023, essentially provides for one-way traffic from Trafoi to the top of the pass and affects all motorised vehicles: cars, vans, motorbikes and motorhomes. Bicycles, including e-bikes, are excluded for the time being, as are sta AG buses.
The main reasons for implementing this measure, which is unique in the Alpine region, were the ever-increasing number of motorbike crashes as well as long traffic jams at bottlenecks caused by extra-wide vehicles.
The new one-way rule should help to avoid such falls in the future
Among other things, it is hoped that the new regulation will lead to a smoother flow of traffic. Motorcyclists will now be able to approach the narrow right-hand bends on the uphill side further to the outside, and the risk of falling due to insufficient speed will be significantly minimised, according to experienced bikers. For the increasing number of motorhomes, too, the journey will finally be easier. The new traffic concept takes them into account: From summer 2023, motor homes with a maximum length of 7.5 metres will be allowed to use the SS38 for the first time.
Cyclists will also be pleased: a 1.5 metre wide lane will be designated and marked for them, which will sensibly complement the cycle path from Prad to the village of Stilfserbrücke, which has been built in summer 2022. Motorised traffic will be prohibited from overtaking at the narrowest points. In order to make it possible to return to the valley if the pass is not reached, bicycles are exempt from the one-way rule for the time being.
Cross-border Cooperation
with Switzerland
The „Stelvio 2023“ traffic concept was only made possible through intensive cooperation with Switzerland. In order to avoid traffic light regulations with long red phases on the Stelvio Pass, the Grisons government decided in the legislative session of 17 March 2023 to also only allow the Umbrail Pass to be used in one direction, i.e. from the top of the pass downhill to Sta. Maria Val Müstair.
For visitors to the Stelvio National Park region, the new cross-border traffic regulation offers the possibility of a unique, 65-kilometre round trip through several countries, climatic zones and high-alpine cultural landscapes.
An unique
round trip in the Alps
In no time at all you can reach the rock garden of the National Park from the apple orchard of the Vinschgau Valley – without oncoming traffic. The Umbrail Pass leads into the mystical world of the Val Müstair with its unique language and the UNESCO World Heritage Convent of St. John. On the way back to Prad, the medieval town of Glurns and the unspoilt village of Schluderns with its mighty Churburg castle on the mountainside invite you to visit.
The administration of the Stelvio National Park, the government of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, the regional council of Lombardy and, last but not least, the government councillors of Grisons are pleased about the agreement now reached within the framework of the „Stelvio 2023“ project and are convinced that the region around the Ortler and Piz Umbrail will be noticeably upgraded.
For further information on the „Stelvio 2023“ project, please contact the Stelvio National Park Coordination Office at +39 0473 92 16 8 or by e-mail at senso-unico@passo-stelvio.com.
Perfectly matching:
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Have fun looking at them!
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