BELLUNO
On June 13, the electric trains between Belluno, Ponte nelle Alpi and Venice will come into operation. In 2024 also those for Feltre and Montebelluna, from here towards Treviso and towards Castelfranco and Padua. Will it ever be possible to use the line also for freight transport? Dba Group has carried out studies and verified that there would be slope problems, especially between Vittorio Veneto and Santa Croce al Lago, but also from Longarone onwards, should the line be electrified up to Calalzo, with continuation towards Cortina.
But on the opposite side, therefore from Ponte nelle Alpi to Belluno, then to Feltre and Montebelluna, these difficulties would not exist and freight transport would also be feasible. “In my opinion, if the perspective is that of ecological transition, this is an opportunity to be exploited”, says Francesco De Bettin, founder with the brothers of Dba and commissioned by Confindustria to prepare a transport plan with the associations of Trento and Bolzano , and with the collaboration of the University of Padua. “It is all the more so if Feltre will be able to connect with Valsugana, which will also be electrified, so our freight convoys could reach Trento to get on the European Brenner corridor”.
But, according to De Bettin, there are studies to be promoted especially with manufacturing industries, to understand if they can have the convenience of rail transport. “For long distances certainly yes, that’s why we asked the University of Padua to also study a breakthrough to the north of the future Dolomite Train, from Cortina to Dobbiaco, to then join the Val Pusteria line, and, on the other side , until reaching Lienz, then Austria, where you can join other tracks ».
The province of Belluno achieved exports, in 2019, for 4 billion and 48 million euros, last year for the pandemic 21.8% less. All goods that travel by road. The import is far less. In 2018 it was 931 million, the following year of 855, in 2020 of 755 thousand euros. How many subjects could travel by train?
Specific studies have not yet been done. Eyewear exports represent the largest item, amounting (in 2019) to 2 billion and 857 thousand euros. “A train of glasses is difficult to propose, a wagon yes but it would not be economically convenient”, reflects the regional councilor Giampaolo Bottacin. «Better, therefore, other manufacturing, such as the systems that come out of the refrigeration companies. But for long distances, because otherwise it is more convenient to use the truck that loads at the source and unloads in front of the supermarket to be equipped ».
The machinery exported from the province is worth around 450 million. Followed by rubber and plastic products, which Cuban 127 million (last year they were on the rise), then electronics with 88 million, clothing with 58, metallurgy with 78, carpentry with 62. Goods are directed in Europe for over one billion and 700 million, out of two billion and just under 300 million.
“The economic conditions would exist. For Valbelluna, first of all, with the industrial areas close to the railway stations. From Paludi dell’Alpago, to Longarone, from Luxottica in Sedico to the many industrial excellences of Limana, Mel, Trichiana, and then to the companies in the Feltre area ».
«In the meantime, one could anticipate – suggests Helmut Moroder, an expert in the sector – with light freight transport. I will give some examples: from fish from the lagoon towards the Dolomites, to dairy products from Belluno in the opposite direction. It would be enough to equip a wagon to hook up to some of the daily passenger trains. This is already being done, for example, in South Tyrol ». –