The intervention involves the construction of the exchange car park divided into two areas, P1 and P2, at the new Metromare station "Acilia sud–Dragona" so as to make it an efficient exchange node. Area P1 will include 59 parking spaces, 18 spaces for cycles and motorcycles and 6 spaces dedicated to people with disabilities, while area P2 will include 152 parking spaces, 43 spaces for cycles and motorcycles and 6 spaces for people with disabilities. The work also includes new pedestrian paths, equipped green areas and a compensation forest, along with drainage systems, permeable pavements and irrigation devices, to ensure a sustainable infrastructure integrated with the surrounding environment.

Origin and process of the project (2015–2025)

The project of the exchange car park at the service of the new Metromare station "Acilia sud–Dragona" was born in 2015, when there was the first draft, which then remained unimplemented due to vicissitudes beyond the control of the Public Works Department. In the following years the project was updated and returned several times to the Service Conference: a first time in 2016 and a second time in 2024, following the expiry of previous opinions. On both occasions, the bodies involved did not raise observations regarding the felling of existing trees.

The project then went through a new phase starting in 2023, when the intervention was included among the jubilee works, with very tight implementation times: mandatory deadline of 31 December 2026, under penalty of losing co-financing of about 2 million euros. The construction of the car park is considered essential to guarantee the full functionality of the new station, as it ensures its role as an intermodal interchange node between rubber and iron.

In 2025, a discussion with the territory began, which led to a project review process with the aim of protecting existing trees as much as possible and increasing overall environmental quality. To this end, the Department of Infrastructure and Public Works has commissioned a series of technical studies, which have led to the introduction of an extensive package of improvements. 

The revisited project and the protection of the green

Thanks to the changes introduced, it was possible to safeguard 25 valuable trees located near the station entrance, in particular some large quercus suber. In fact, in addition to protecting the existing trees, the project involves the creation of a compensation forest consisting of 150 new plants, to which are added the 70 new trees planned along the parking lot, for a total of 220 new trees. The species used will be selected at national nurseries of primary importance, with large specimens and physical characteristics similar to those existing. Where possible, the trees present today are also planted and transplanted.

Green organization and environmental devices. The improved project also introduces a new green organization: next to the Mediterranean garden near the station, the adjacent forest will be equipped with chairs, pedestrian paths and a protective fence. To ensure the maintenance of the plants in all seasons, a water collection tank has been inserted, fed by a system of small lamination tanks located under the parking stalls, while a fountain with a collection tank for irrigation will be installed in the green area adjacent to the station.

Materials, surfaces and protection techniques. From a technical point of view, the project aims at maximum permeability of the surfaces, introducing draining flooring and, where possible, light-coloured driveable flooring to reduce the heat island effect. Reorganization pruning is also provided for the maintained trees and a series of additional contractual clauses, aimed at empowering the executing company both on the phases of protection of the tree heritage and on the guaranteed engraftment for three years of the new plants. 

Results of the design review

The comparison between the basic tender project and the project with improvements shows significant progress from an environmental point of view:

• the abatements go from 98 to 31;
• the new trees from 70 to 220;
• 21 replants are introduced;
• 22,000 m² of public greenery that were not previously planned are added.

The number of parking spaces is reduced from 187 to 152 and that of cycles and motorcycles from 58 to 43, while the spaces for people with disabilities remain unchanged.

The Administration has already planned, in the next three-year budget 2026–2028, the resources necessary for the implementation of the improvements introduced.