The Italian Government has postponed the start of work on a rail link in the Alpine area until an environmental impact study can be carried out, where many Turin 2006 Olympic events will be held. The area north of Turin was the scene of battles last week between police and protesters, over a new rail tunnel to France. There were fears that rising tensions could cause havoc at the Games. The study is expected to take until May 2006. Local mayors have yet to approve the plan.
The A32 Turin-Bardonecchi motorway is ready to carry cars and coaches heading for the Turin 2006 Games. Four lanes and new electronic cards will make it possible to pay the toll without stopping at the toll booth. The project cost 117 million euros, 26.7 million provided by Agenzia Torino 2006, the body in charge of the Olympic construction and infrastructure projects. The remaining 90.3 million came from Sitaf. During the Games there will be 2,800 vehicles per hour passing through the tollbooths. Sitaf has introduced the Si Pass that will enable motorists to go straight through the booths in order to avoid traffic jams. The card will cost 100 euros for five days of unlimited travel.
The Turin 2006 new Games symbol is three bronze columns, each about a dozen metres high supported by a complex steel structure to be installed in Piazza D’Armi, outside the renovated Stadio Olimpico where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will take place, and the Pala Isozaki centre, venue for the Olympic ice-hockey tournament. The sculpture will be transported from Germany to arrive in Turin next week. The columns, which feature the profiles of human faces, will be installed on December 15.
The Games Liaison Committee has given the green light to preparations for the Turin 2006 Paralympic Games. Xavier Gonzales, head of the committee said, “we looked at the organization of the Paralympics again and all the plans have been followed to the letter. Naturally there are some issues that need to be examined further, like transport and accommodation, but we are very confident. In March everything will be ready and the Turin Paralympics will stay in sport’s memory for a long time”. The Paralympics take place March 10 to 19 and will bring about 700 athletes to the four competition sites, Turin, Pinerolo, Sestriere and Pragelato.
