For seven months, this is what the streets of Rome will look like, as “Plan Cobblestone” is underway. Streets are getting made over to ensure safety for travelers, since in the rain roads become slippery and cause car and motorcycle accidents.
Rome's mayor, Virginia Raggi, posted that apart from ripping up the cobblestones, the project includes the “remediation of the rainwater disposal system” and “adapting the sewage systems.”
But before that can happen, all the cobblestones must be cleared out.
TIZIANO
Construction worker
“We tore them up to redo the pavement. We put reinforcement under the street and then we will re-lay each and every cobblestone. We will replace them from where we took them.”
The work is taking place in Piazza Venezia, Piazza San Marco and Via d'Aracoeli, falling in line with new stops for Rome's Metro C.
TIZIANO
Construction worker
“There are some holes in the road, so we're fixing it all up. The end product will surely be better than it is now.”
Many Romans are pleased with the project, and the upkeep taking place in their home country.
FABIAN
“Surely it's an improvement to the city that will help traffic. Especially in Rome, there's a lot of scooters, motorcycles and bikes. It helps those who live in Rome, work and travel through the day.”
AZZURRA
“For Rome, cobblestones are like a piece of Roman history.”
ROBERTO
“Aesthetically speaking, the cobblestone is nice. But when it rains, it's not like asphalt. With streets made of cobblestones people can slip because of the material.”
That's why this project is taking place. First and foremost to keep people safe and have better drainage in the streets and secondly to maintain the centuries old cobblestones that make up the historical part of the city.
Melissa Butz
