Gran Sasso, third tunnel go-ahead

Minister Lunardi announces the go-ahead of the third Gran Sasso tunnel

Aldo Frezza

May 2002

A ministerial decree seems to have finally put an end to this twelve-year-old quarrel: the third Gran Sasso tunnel has finally been given the go-ahead. Minister Lunardi announced recently at Aquila “The tunnel is destined to become a reality in the near future. Works will begin by the end of the year and within 24 months these should be completed.”

The only details of the project as yet revealed to the public concern the third tunnel, 6km long, which will enable independent access to the nuclear physics laboratory. At present this is reached, dangerously it has to be said, from the existing tunnel.

The decree has by no means placated the environmental groups and local administrations against the project. The Minister made his announcement practically behind closed doors while a demonstration took place in the city. Official statements by the WWF and the regional Italian Comunists strongly condemned the Minister’s words and have announced protests and a referendum.

Committee for the Safeguarding of the Gran Sasso Water Resources
Promoted by: WWF - Legambiente - Italia Nostra - Club Alpino Italiano - Mountain Wilderness Pro Natura - Lipu - Mare Vivo - Greenpeace - Amici della Terra - SocietÃ Italiana di Geologia Ambientale - Istituto Nazionale per la Forestazione Ambientale - Associazione Internazionale Medici per la Prevenzione della Guerra Nucleare, Nobel Peace Prize 1985 - Associazione Mediterranea Agricoltori Biologici

by Aldo Frezza

The Gran Sasso d'Italia

Info

WWF Teramo
CP 46 – 64100 Teramo
Tel e fax: +39 0861.411147
e mail: teramo@wwf.it

Legambiente
CP 5 – 64045 Isola del Gran Sasso
Tel e fax: +39 0861.975825
e mail: info@scuolaverde.com

> Demonstration against 3rd tunnel
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