FiPiLi Construction to Cause Road Closures & Traffic Backup

 

Traffic on the Fi Pi Li

The third phase of construction on the FiPiLi, a major road connecting Florence, Pisa and Livorno, began on June 13 and will go until June 30.

The construction site is located in the section between the Montelupo and East Empoli exits.

Construction will then pause for a three month summer break from July 1 to the end of September to lighten beach-bound traffic.

The FiPiLi is oriented east to west and consists of a main stretch from Florence towards the Tuscan coast, and branches off into the northwest direction towards Pisa and the southwest direction towards the port of Livorno. Prior to construction, the FiPiLi’s average daily traffic volume could reach upwards of 50,000 vehicles, according to the AVR construction maintenance management.

In preparation for phase three, there will be a road closure with a mandatory exit at Ginestra Fiorentina in the direction of the Tuscan coast, and another mandatory exit at Empoli Est going towards Florence from 10 p.m. on June 13 to 6 a.m. on June 14.

Starting at 6 a.m. on June 14, the ramp going in the direction of the Tuscan coast will reopen for traffic in both directions, and work will take place on the opposite side, causing problems for traffic.

The Montelupo Fiorentino ramp going in the direction of Florence will be closed both inbound and outbound from 6 a.m. on June 14 to June 30.

In an attempt to lighten traffic, construction will also take place at night and stop during peak hours, with work times from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.  Additionally, the Sp3 “Bientinese” is open to trucks as a link between the Altopascio motorway exit on the A11 and the Pontedera FiPiLi exit.

Following the completion of phase three, the construction site will be dismantled, and all lanes will open up. In early October, work will resume and continue in stages until December.

Construction on the FiPiLi should be finished by the end of 2022, said Stefano Baccelli, commissioner for infrastructures and mobility.

The project, which began at the end of March, aims to improve highway safety through a reinforcement of the road’s surface.  (natasha sokoloff)