The border location of Ponte Tresa (I-CH) is a strategic point of interest under a mobility point of view and it is important for the regional exchange between Italy and Switzerland. The functionality of the mobility and the viability along the Lugano-Varese axis is directly depending from the situation and the solutions adopted in this area. The two Municipalities alone can solve only partially a problem that have a bigger dimension, and need the coordination of Public Bodies from a superior level, and the necessary economical support for interventions that are important on a higher scale.
The INTERREG project “the bridge that link” made it possible to create a structural dialogue, concertation and collaboration between the Municipality of Lavena Ponte Tresa (I) and Ponte Tresa (CH). The themes that has been treated are viability and mobility in function of a territorial integrated development at border level. It has been possible to create the necessary base to go on with the work, to solve the serious problem of traffic and give strength to the basis for a sustainable socio-economical development, compatible with the possibilities of the territory and less vulnerable by the changing effects derived by the border position.
Those coordinated actions has been necessary by the two Municipalities of Varese (I) and Malcantone (CH):
Organismo Transfrontaliero (OTF)
This organism, governed by the two majors, make it possible to maintain a rigid control, exchange of information, elaboration of projects and proposals as necessary basis of competencies for the two partner Municipalities.
Short term initiatives to improve mobility
The offers of parking spaces in Piazza Mercato, together with the monthly ticket for the train Lugano Ponte Tresa gave real results with low expenses. The initiatives already active are:
-introduction of the paying parking in Piazza Mercato included in the price of the monthly train ticket of the Ferrovia Lugano Ponte Tresa, increasing the economical rivalry between societies that employed the workers on the two sides of the border.
-promotion of car pooling
-promotion of light mobility
Pedestrian and bycicle path between the two historical Centers
This intervention is already part of the priority measures of the Transport Plan of Luganese area. It assumes different functions:
-approaching of the two historical centers;
-link between the bycicle networks of the Varese province with the one of Canton Ticino;
-attractive path for the pedestrian;
-reduction of the path length below the P+R of Piazza Mercato with the new Railway
Interchange parking spaces with the terminal of the Ferrovia Lugano Ponte Tresa
This project is an important tile in the Piano dei Trasporti and the Piano di Agglomerato del Luganese. The project Interreg has analysed possible solution of offers for parking spaces linked with the railway terminal, keeping in mind the environmental and landscape sustainability of the intervention for the area of Ponte Tresa. This work represents a good starting point for further project studies.
Viability
The actions described above are finalised to reduce the car traffic, in this way it will reduce the pressure on existing roads. A fixed point in common between the two Municipalities is that mobility and viability that get in touch with this territory should be only local and regional. The Lugano-Varese axis that pass by Ponte Tresa should not interfere with local mobility and should not become an international passage North-South. This international function has been assumed by other passages.
The Interreg project has elaborated correction scenarios of the viability.
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