Naples is preparing for its America's Cup event, but in the meantime it must contend with the other side of the great event: construction sites, road restrictions, and increasingly congested traffic.
Roadworks are underway along Via Acton, while work continues on the structures near the Regatta Village. Meanwhile, along the coast, traffic continues amidst diversions and restricted space. This situation, with the resumption of activities after the summer break, has already had significant repercussions on traffic.
The fear is that the situation could worsen further in the coming days, when the normal resumption of urban mobility will be accompanied by the reopening of schools.
The opposition's attack
City Councilor Catello Maresca has submitted an urgent written question to Mayor Gaetano Manfredi and Mobility Councilor Edoardo Cosenza, demanding accountability for the city's traffic management.
Maresca also requested a special meeting of the Infrastructure Commission, chaired by Aniello Esposito. The request focuses on the overall management of the numerous interventions currently affecting the area's roadways.
According to the opposition representative, there was a lack of preventive coordination capable of assessing the cumulative impact of the roadworks and temporary traffic changes related to the sailing event.
A critical issue that, according to Maresca, takes on an even greater weight as work resumes and the new school year begins.
The opposition is therefore requesting detailed timelines for the works, minutes of the Service Conferences, and any changes to the work schedule. The goal is to determine whether it is possible to reschedule certain activities to avert the risk of further traffic disruption.
The taxi drivers' protest
Taxi drivers are also reporting the situation has become difficult.
The Basic Taxi Drivers Committee speaks of a category of drivers forced to spend much of the day stuck in traffic, particularly between Via Acton and the Lungomare.
The problem, workers explain, isn't just travel times. Standing in line for hours means incurring higher fuel costs and dealing with passengers' growing dissatisfaction on a daily basis.
The requirement is to be able to operate under the conditions necessary to guarantee an efficient public service, without adequately protected preferential lanes and without traffic management that ends up penalizing non-scheduled transport.
Via Caracciolo, another lane less
Further complicating matters was the closure of a lane on Via Caracciolo, which further hampered traffic along one of the city's main thoroughfares.
The fear now is that the situation could become even more critical with the return to full activity and especially with the reopening of schools.
The risk is that of a sort of domino effect: construction sites, vehicles engaged in America's Cup activities, road narrowings, and increased traffic could add up to further pressure on an already congested road network.
Palazzo San Giacomo: construction continues on schedule.
Meanwhile, Palazzo San Giacomo remains committed to Mayor Manfredi's reassurances: the work is proceeding according to schedule, and the organization of the works should allow for the impact on mobility to be managed.
However, it is precisely on the ability to coordinate the various interventions that the political controversy focuses.
The America's Cup represents a great opportunity for Naples to gain international visibility and promote the city. But the challenge in the coming weeks will also be to prevent preparations for the event from becoming a daily hassle for residents, workers, motorists, and public and private transport operators.
Because while the international sailing showcase is being prepared, Naples must continue to move.
What to know about traffic in Naples during the America's Cup
Here are some practical tips for navigating Naples traffic ahead of the America's Cup.
- Active construction sites: Work is underway along Via Acton and in the Regatta Village, with possible lane restrictions.
- School reopening: The resumption of school activities could worsen the traffic situation.
- Opposition requests: Questions to clarify road management and work schedules.
- Taxi drivers protest: Taxi drivers are reporting operational difficulties due to heavy traffic.
- Lane closures: The closure of a lane on Via Caracciolo further complicated traffic.
