Leitner: A fast link to campus: the Galilei - Mesiano inclined elevator nearing the finish line

An infrastructure project that has been eagerly awaited for years is finally taking shape in Trento: the impressive panoramic cabin of the new Trento-Mesiano inclined elevator has been stripped of its protective packaging and positioned alongside the line near the top station. This gives a first glimpse of what the future direct link between the “Galilei” bottom station and the University of Trento’s Engineering Campus will look like. The essential structural and technical work has already been completed, while the past few weeks have been dedicated to the final installation and completion works, as well as the initial testing of the system. The Trento province ropeway service began its official acceptance process in the last few days and the project is scheduled to be completed in the fall.

The new inclined elevator will connect the “Galilei” bottom station in Viale Bolognini with the “Mesiano” top station near the University of Trento’s Engineering Campus. The cabin will climb an altitude difference of 76 meters along a 160-meter-long route. At 3.7 meters in width and 3.6 meters in length, the panoramic cabin has ample glazing and can accommodate up to 50 passengers, with seating for 14. The journey between the two stations will take around 86 seconds at a speed of 2.5 meters per second. Under normal operating conditions, the system is planned to have a capacity of 537 passengers per hour in each direction. In the future the inclined elevator will provide a fast and direct link to the higher university campus, making it much easier to access for students, staff and visitors.

The system is equipped with control units at both stations and is designed for fully automatic operation. Additional controls are installed both in the cabin and in the loading and unloading areas. A control center monitored by an employee will also be set up at the bottom station. The project reached an important milestone back in July: the cabin moved along the track for the first time during the initial performance tests.

As well as the inclined elevator, a new bike and footpath is being constructed between the top station and Via Mesiano. The path, which will be around 300 meters in length and four meters in width, will run below the University Library and the Engineering Campus, and complement the new system by providing an additional link, ensuring sustainable mobility. The total budget for the project is approximately 6.5 million euros.