Mass departure in early August, queues at the French Riviera and the Azur Coast
In the heart of August, the Savona-Ventimiglia route, a popular passageway to the Ligurian coast and the French Riviera, is experiencing heavy traffic congestion. This congestion is primarily due to ongoing roadworks and infrastructural maintenance, coupled with the peak seasonal travel demand of vacationers.
Key contributing factors include lane closures and alternate traffic management due to construction activities on major roads and motorways in Liguria, particularly near Celle Ligure and other points along the A10 motorway, the main artery connecting Savona to Ventimiglia. Railway disruptions in Ventimiglia due to maintenance may also add to the road traffic by increasing reliance on car travel.
Areas directly affected include the A10 motorway sections from Savona to Ventimiglia, with specific closures such as the entry near Celle Ligure. Other provincial and state roads around the Liguria and Piedmont border are experiencing alternating traffic due to ongoing works, exacerbating the overall traffic situation in the region and nearby areas.
To alleviate these issues, significant infrastructure projects are underway or planned by Concessioni del Tirreno and the Liguria Region. Notable initiatives include major infrastructure investments in the Port of Genoa and Savona regions, such as new viaducts and link roads designed to separate heavy-duty vehicles from urban traffic, reduce bottlenecks at motorway exits, and improve logistics flow. These infrastructures aim to ease traffic congestion sustainably by enhancing traffic capacity and minimizing interruptions during construction.
Moreover, coordination efforts focus on limiting disruption to port operations and city traffic while supporting local urban regeneration, indicating a balanced approach to infrastructure development and traffic management. Average speeds on the Savona-Ventimiglia route are not exceeding 70 km/h due to the traffic congestion, and travel times have nearly doubled.
Traffic congestion is not limited to the Savona-Ventimiglia route, as it is also present on the Autoroute de l'Esterel between Nice and Saint-Tropez, extending beyond the border. Traffic jams were present for approximately 20 kilometers from Savona towards Albenga after the junction of the A6 onto the A10, and another 2 kilometers of traffic were present to reach the toll booth at Ventimiglia from Bordighera. Traffic wardens and highway police were on duty to manage the traffic situation, and travel times on the Autoroute de l'Esterel have also been significantly affected.
It is important to note that the cause of the traffic congestion on the Autoroute de l'Esterel is not specified in the article. Additionally, it is not mentioned whether there are any roadworks causing the traffic congestion on the Autoroute de l'Esterel or whether any traffic management measures are in place.
In conclusion, heavy traffic is a recurring issue during the August exodus on the Savona-Ventimiglia route and the Autoroute de l'Esterel, primarily due to ongoing road and rail works in Liguria. Solutions by Concessioni del Tirreno and the Liguria Region include infrastructure upgrades such as new viaducts and link roads to better separate flows and increase capacity while managing construction impacts carefully. Efforts are being made to balance infrastructure development and traffic management, aiming to enhance traffic capacity and minimizing interruptions during construction.
- Despite the region's popular lifestyle, characterized by vibrant coastlines and luxury cars, traffic congestion on the Savona-Ventimiglia route and Autoroute de l'Esterel is causing average travel speeds to decrease and travel times to nearly double, making for an unsustainable average journey during the summer peak.
- In an attempt to mitigate these traffic issues, plans for significant infrastructure projects are being implemented by Concessioni del Tirreno and the Liguria Region, including investments in new viaducts and link roads, aiming to improve traffic flow, reduce bottlenecks, and create a more comfortable average lifestyle for residents and travelers alike.
