The fateful date has arrived. Tuesday 11 June marks the closing time for works on the Ponte all’Abate, between Lucchesia and Valdinievole. We waited until the end of the school year to contain the critical issues, given the high number of buses and buses that have to pass through that area every day, with schools open. Until mid-September this problem is at least postponed. The stop will affect both sides, with the paper mills of Villa Basilica and partly of Capannori, highly concerned. Some rumors indicate the possibility of legal action by some entrepreneurs against the institutions for the inconvenience caused. What is certain is that for safety reasons the restructuring of this infrastructure, which according to forecasts will have to continue for at least seven months, is necessary. Even if there are no certain construction times. In the meantime, cars and trucks will have to use alternative routes to move between Piana di Lucca and Valdinievole but also to reach and return from Collodi and Villa Basilica.
An alternative road system is planned for cars and heavy vehicles which will also affect the Capannori area. As regards buses and cars, vehicles coming from Lucca and heading to Pescia must turn right before the Ponte all’Abate and pass through Veneri.
The alternative route will be indicated by special signs. Buses and vehicles coming from Pescia and heading towards Lucca must, before reaching Ponte all’Abate, turn right onto Via Panoramica, which is one-way.
From there they will have to continue along via delle Cartiere, cross the town of Collodi and turn left again into one-way via Pasquinelli, then turn right into via di Confine on provincial road 12 and continue towards regional road 435 via Pesciatina and continue towards Lucca according to the original route. For residents of Capannori, via delle Fornacette in Lappato will remain passable in both directions. For heavy vehicles coming from Lucca and heading towards Collodi and Villa Basilica, and vice versa, those coming from Pescia, Villa Basilica and Collodi heading towards Capannori and Lucca must use the A11 motorway and use the Chiesina Uzzanese toll booth, both on entry and output.
Massimo Stefanini
