A 2,000-cubic-metre landslide has blocked the Via Aurelia near Arenzano, closing a section of the Milan-San Remo route less than two months before the race.
The collapse occurred at approximately 8pm on January 25 at the Pizzo locality, on the eastern side of the Pizzo tunnel. Emergency services confirmed on January 26 that there were no casualties, but the road remains closed in both directions between the Vesima and Arenzano junctions.
Drone surveys conducted on January 26 identified deep fissures in the rock face above the initial detachment point, indicating a high risk of secondary collapses. Anas, the national road authority, has halted debris clearance until specialists complete "disgaggio", the controlled removal of loose material from the cliff.
Francesco Silvestrini, mayor of Arenzano, said the 40-year-old containment nets failed to hold the rock mass. He warned that restoration would be "a lengthy process".
"The Aurelia is a fundamental artery for workers and students that cannot remain blocked for long without significant economic impact," Silvestrini said in comments reported by Repubblica.
All traffic is currently diverted onto the A10 motorway.
Race implications
Milan-San Remo is scheduled for March 21. The blocked section forms part of the route's coastal stretch as the race travels along the Ligurian coast toward San Remo. There will be hopes that the road can be in fully working condition well ahead of the race, but timelines for repair and restoration in these cases can often be uncertain.
The situation mirrors a 2016 incident when a landslide in the same vicinity forced race organisers RCS Sport to implement an emergency detour. The peloton was diverted onto the A10 motorway between the Voltri and Arenzano interchanges, covering approximately nine kilometres on the autostrada.
A motorway detour would change the race route and conditions. The wide, smooth surface differs from the narrower Aurelia, where more exposed sections could cause splits in the peloton. However, given the considerable run-in from the Arenzano stretch to the race finish, a dramatic change to the race tactics and likely outcome is unlikely.
Anas said the objective is to restore circulation "in total safety in the shortest time possible" but did not provide a timeline.
Cover image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com
