We analyse the Marianopoli and Magazzinazzo tunnels of the Vallelunga Railway Line, in Sicily, and the two tunnels underpassing the "Colle di Tenda", in Piedmont, as representative cases of the impressive Italian plan of infrastructural development in the second half of the 19th century. In describing these tunnels and the several difficulties successfully faced during their construction, we remark the crucial role played by engineers, academics, parliament and government members, contractors and workers. Our study confirms that, in the 19th century, technological innovation was identified with civil engineering. Finally, we report some considerations about the nowadays Italian situation in terms of rehabilitation and upgrading of historic tunnels.
Le gallerie Marianopoli e Magazzinazzo della Linea Ferroviaria di Vallelunga, in Sicilia, e le due gallerie che sottopassano il Colle di Tenda, in Piemonte, sono analizzate come casi rappresentativi dell'impressionante piano di sviluppo infrastrutturale italiano nella seconda meta dell'Ottocento. Nella descrizione di queste gallerie e delle varie difficoltà superate durante la loro costruzione, si sottolinea ii fondamentale ruolo svolto da ingegneri, accademici, parlamentari e ministri, appaltatori e operai. I! nostro studio conferma che, nel XIX secolo, l'innovazione tecnologica era identificata con l'ingegneria civile. Si riportano infine alcune considerazioni sull'odierno approccio italiano alla riabilitazione e all'adeguamento delle gallerie storiche.
The role of 19th century tunnelling engineering in binding Italy to Europe and bridging the gap between the north and south of a new state
Callari, C
Primo
;
2020-01-01
Abstract
We analyse the Marianopoli and Magazzinazzo tunnels of the Vallelunga Railway Line, in Sicily, and the two tunnels underpassing the "Colle di Tenda", in Piedmont, as representative cases of the impressive Italian plan of infrastructural development in the second half of the 19th century. In describing these tunnels and the several difficulties successfully faced during their construction, we remark the crucial role played by engineers, academics, parliament and government members, contractors and workers. Our study confirms that, in the 19th century, technological innovation was identified with civil engineering. Finally, we report some considerations about the nowadays Italian situation in terms of rehabilitation and upgrading of historic tunnels.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
