Métro d'Alba: Construction halted after archeological finds
04 September 2024 | Reported by Audrea de Pairinhac
Alba, Camps d'Alba, Montarc | The much-anticipated expansion of Alba's high-speed rapid metropolitan train network has been halted indefinitely due to a remarkable archaeological discovery. The ambitious plans, in development since 2015, aimed to address the city's outdated and limited public transit system, a critical issue exacerbated by the booming population of the Montarci metropolis and a dramatic surge in tourism, which has seen visitor numbers quadruple since the late 2000s. For years, the Ministry of Transportation and Urban Development, in collaboration with the regional government of Camps d'Alba, had been working to bring Alba's metro system on par with other Montarci metropoles. Cities like Guignes, Duolfo, Medato, and Sagranc boast extensive metro networks that seamlessly connect central areas to banlieues and satellite towns, catering effectively to both residents and tourists. Alba, however, has lagged behind, plagued by a uniquely Albanese problem. The planned "D Line" expansion, which would have introduced thirty-four new stations to the Métro d'Alba, was intended to be a game-changer for the city. But this vision was abruptly curtailed when construction crews from the contractor Luiglamo S.m.A. unearthed a series of ancient Merician frescoes, artefacts, and the ruins of an amphitheatre, all estimated to be over three thousand years old. The discovery prompted the immediate suspension of the project, as the significance of the findings could not be ignored.
In a public address at the Teatre Borgaso, Alba’s Mayor Silvino Umbrècanat announced the difficult decision to cancel the "D Line" expansion. "We are thrilled by the latest discoveries, which once again highlight the rich and robust history embedded in every corner of our nation," said Mayor Umbrècanat. "However, these discoveries necessitate the cancellation of our future plans for the D Line due to the abundance of valuable ancient artefacts along the intended route." Responsibility for the investigation and preservation of these ancient treasures has now shifted from the Ministry of Transportation and Urban Development to the Ministry of Culture. Minister of Culture, Alexantera Cadorneu, has been entrusted with overseeing the exploration efforts. The artefacts, once thoroughly examined and identified by experts, will be displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of History in Duolfo, with some pieces also being sent to museums in Sagranc and Alba.
This is not the first time that archaeological discoveries have disrupted infrastructure projects in Alba. In 2003, plans to build a new airport near Mount Leta were halted after Merician marble statues dedicated to the deities Vitas and Narces were discovered beneath the Montecitorio neighbourhood. Similarly, an earlier attempt to expand the C Line by four stations to serve the University of Bartac was abandoned after thirteen Merician vases and plates were found during initial construction. The ongoing struggle to modernise Alba’s public transport network continues to be hindered by the city’s rich archaeological heritage. The absence of an efficient underground system has placed increasing strain on bus routes, tramways, and commuter ferries, making daily life challenging for residents. Despite the billions of liras invested by the Municipality of Alba to improve alternative public transport, La Metropolitana remains a persistent weak point in the city's infrastructure, highlighting the complex interplay between the past and the present in one of the nation’s most historically significant cities.
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