by InTrieste
Regional and local officials from Italy and Slovenia convened in Trieste this week to discuss measures to mitigate the impact of the upcoming closure of Slovenia’s H4 expressway. The highway, a critical route for cross-border traffic, will close for maintenance on February 18 and remain shut for an estimated 18 months.
The meeting, held at the Prefecture in Trieste, was attended by an array of officials, including Trieste’s Prefect Pietro Signoriello, Gorizia’s Prefect Ester Fedullo, and the mayors of Gorizia, Duino Aurisina, and Monrupino. Representatives from the Gorizia Interport, Italian Ambassador to Slovenia Giuseppe Cavagna, and Slovenian Consul General in Trieste Gregor Šuc also participated in the discussions.
Regional Infrastructure Councillor Cristina Amirante described the gathering as “a preliminary meeting” that nonetheless “made progress toward a shared technical solution.” One of the proposed measures includes redirecting traffic to the Vipava regional road as an alternative route for vehicles heading to the Gorizia Interport, a critical logistics hub. Amirante will join an on-site visit to the H4 expressway and the proposed alternative route on January 29.
Amirante highlighted the potential challenges posed by the closure, citing a recent incident where high bora winds forced a temporary shutdown of the H4, resulting in a 12-kilometer queue at the Fernetti border crossing. “This demonstrates the significant impact such closures can have on cross-border traffic,” she said, adding that the proposed regional road detour would also benefit Slovenia by maintaining logistical connectivity.
Coordination between Italian and Slovenian law enforcement agencies was also discussed. Pietro Ostuni, Chief of Police in Trieste, presented a contingency plan to address potential accidents or severe weather conditions that could disrupt traffic flows at the Fernetti crossing. Amirante praised the collaborative efforts, noting the importance of these measures in preventing severe delays.
As the February closure approaches, officials on both sides of the border are working to ensure that logistical and economic disruptions are minimized. Further meetings are expected to refine the technical details of the proposed solutions.
Interview: Regional Infrastructure Councilor Cristina Amirante
