Pazzano Tunnel: Ministry of Culture approval boosts heritage protection

Pazzano Tunnel: Ministry of Culture greenlights landscape compatibility

The Directorate-General for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape at the Ministry of Culture has issued a favorable opinion on the landscape compatibility of the Pazzano tunnel project, endorsing Alternative 3.1 as the option with the lowest territorial impact for the Salerno–Potenza–Bari IV section.

The approval is a key step toward site preparation for a project that, in addition to upgrading transport links, is presented as an opportunity to improve access to inland areas and cultural and scenic sites across Basilicata.

• Total length: about 18.5 km of route to be developed by ANAS.
• Main tunnel: the “Valico Pazzano” tunnel, 2,945 metres long, designed to overcome critical points of the current road network.
• Supporting works: five new viaducts and two artificial tunnels.
• Cultural impact: the project underwent assessment for protection of cultural assets and landscape, with measures aimed at minimizing territorial effects.

For cultural and tourism stakeholders the infrastructure could enhance access to distributed heritage, enabling itineraries that connect historic centres, natural areas and port hubs. The next stages are administrative finalization and the opening of construction sites, with continued focus on safeguarding environmental and cultural values.