As of April 23, 2025, the bridge on SP724 in Canavese remains closed due to significant damage sustained during recent severe weather. The bridge, located in Villanova Canavese, has been inaccessible since last Thursday, following a violent rise in water levels that compromised its structural integrity.
The Road Department of the Metropolitan City of Turin reported that the stability of the bridge was jeopardized due to damage to the protection threshold of its foundations. This erosion, caused by the force of the current, has raised serious concerns among engineers tasked with assessing the situation.
According to officials, "Only when the water level has sufficiently decreased will it be possible to conduct complete structural checks, assess the extent of the damage, and determine if the bridge can be reopened to light traffic." This statement underscores the critical nature of the ongoing assessment process, which is contingent on environmental conditions improving.
In the meantime, an inspection by the AIPO (the Po River Basin Authority) is anticipated, as they will provide a technical evaluation of the hydraulic status of the affected river section. This step is crucial not just for the bridge's reopening but also as a reflection of the broader infrastructural vulnerabilities that the region faces.
The closure of the bridge has led to evident disruptions in local traffic, forcing drivers and public transport to take longer detours. In an area where secondary roads play a vital role in commuting and goods transportation, every day of closure adds an extra burden to the daily lives of residents and businesses alike.
The recent adverse weather has highlighted the ongoing issues related to hydrogeological instability and the resilience of infrastructure in regions traversed by rivers and torrents. Increasingly intense and sudden weather events are putting pressure on bridges, riverbanks, and secondary road networks, with the situation on SP724 being just one example of many potential interventions needed in the coming months.
For now, residents of Villanova Canavese remain in a state of waiting, with eyes fixed on the water levels of the Stura River. There are also concerns about funding, timelines, and the ability to respond effectively to the challenges posed by a changing climate. The reopening of the bridge represents more than just restoring a traffic route; it symbolizes the community's capacity to adapt swiftly to environmental changes.
