Trentino tunnel closures jeopardize travel for 1,500 commuters and local economy

The prolonged closure of the Dom Tunnel in the Trentino valley has left roughly 1,500 daily commuters between Val di Ledro and Basso Sarca facing unsustainable travel times, higher fuel costs and uncertainty. Mauro Zeni, delegate for industry at the Uil del Trentino, warned that the disruption threatens jobs and the financial health of major local firms such as Dana, Aquafil, Cartiere del Garda, Domo and Fedrigoni. The union has asked regional assessor Achille Spinelli for emergency measures, including dedicated shuttle lanes, compensation for transport expenses and temporary housing for shift workers.

At the same time, the Monte Piazzo Tunnel, a key route for commercial traffic and tourism, is slated for urgent structural reinforcement after technical assessments indicated a reduced service life. Authorities stress the need to complete safety works while keeping the road usable, because closures would delay goods, increase congestion and hurt hotels, restaurants and other tourism‑related businesses.

Both projects illustrate the tension between safety requirements and the economic dependence of the Trentino region on reliable mountain‑pass transport.