We have concluded the series of planned controlled blasting on the L’Aquila-Tornimparte section before the temporary stop imposed by the start of the winter season. At dawn on Sunday, Oct. 17, micro-explosive charges blasted the eastbound, Teramo-bound carriageway of the Le Pastena viaduct on the steep side of a slope, over 1,000 meters above sea level, opposite Villagrande di Tornimparte. Vehicle traffic was, as usual, interrupted on both carriageways of the A24 highway to allow for the demolition, and reactivated as early as 8:30 this morning, earlier than planned, after only two and a half hours of closure, on the carriageway opposite the demolished one.
A viaduct with three spans and two carriageways offset by 15 meters, leaning halfway up the cliff, which posed a challenge for the Toto Group’s engineers, already in the abatement study phase, because of the reduced space for the collapse of the structure. The reconstruction will be able to provide the viaduct with greater strength and durability, protecting it from the aggression of atmospheric agents, which are particularly extreme in this area, and thawing salts, and will be adapted to the latest earthquake-resistant regulations in Italy.
With the testing of the east carriageways of the Raio, Aterno, SS17 and Vetoio viaducts completed a few days ago, the completion of the S. Onofrio viaduct now imminent and the Genzano viaduct for which the second carriageway is being completed, seven viaducts have been reconstructed and partially opened to traffic. Another five viaducts are being reconstructed.
