Traffic and major construction projects: the challenges. A 'duel' between Priolo and Cavedagna
Bologna, 8 November 2025 – Code, Blocked roads, tram construction sites: traffic is a topic that affects us all. And when we talk about traffic jams, a question naturally arises: will the major works to come, from the tram to the Passante, solve the problem? This is discussed in the third episode of the vodcast 'il Resto di Bologna' , available now on our website ( www.ilrestodelcarlino.it ), YouTube, and Spotify, with clips and excerpts on our newspaper's social media pages.
In conversation with Rosalba Carbutti, a journalist at the Bologna-based Carlino , economist and former CEO of Nomisma, Luca Dondi dall'Orologio, Irene Priolo , regional councilor for Transport and Infrastructure, and Stefano Cavedagna, MEP for the Brothers of Italy party, are the protagonists of the political talk. There's also space for "Vox Populi," a commentary by journalist Marco Santangelo. Economist Dondi dall'Orologio opens the episode by citing the Demetra survey "Bologna in Movimento," which highlights how traffic is among the most pressing issues among Bolognese people, after safety. From there, he analyzes the infrastructure of tomorrow, starting with the tram: "Compared to the Florence tramway, the Bologna project lacks a metropolitan feel. The risk? It's too urban a project." There are also doubts about the Passante : “I fear it will end up like the stadium... it will be talked about for many years and will never materialize.”
Finally, a hope, also looking at the airport : "Bologna has great ambition on paper, but it doesn't have the tools to support it. Now it must decide whether to host an international championship and equip itself with the necessary infrastructure."
In the political duel, regional councilor Priolo says she's convinced that "suffering" for the tram will be worth it given the future benefits: "In Europe, we'll reach 276 cities with trams. This project is useful because it helps increase public transport capacity. A tram can carry 350 people, a bus can carry 180... Sure, we're starting with a few lines, but then it will become a major metropolitan project." Meloni's Cavedagna, a member of the regional council, disagrees: "Removing buses and trolleybuses for a track system, which were removed years ago because they were deemed dangerous, excludes cars from the roads, halving the roadway, causing significant inconvenience and damage."
Positions on the Passante are also polar opposites. Priolo is convinced that the new, reduced project will "go ahead," including some water supply work, while others will be included in the next concession. Cavedagna, however, is not giving up on the Passante Sud: "We've always been consistent on this. The Passante di Mezzo, as we know, wouldn't have solved the traffic problem." She also looks ahead to the 2027 municipal elections and Matteo Lepore's second candidacy. Priolo is convinced: "Of course, construction sites create inconvenience, but a mayor must push forward with projects that don't generate consensus at the time but are beneficial to your community." Cavedagna is optimistic about 2027, given "the many citizen rejections of the tram and Città 30, measures of the Lepore administration."
İl Resto Del Carlino
