tangenziale

Tangenziale is the term used in Italy for a ring road or bypass that encircles a city to divert through traffic away from the urban core. Tangenziali are typically high-capacity roads with limited access that connect radial routes and the national road network, forming either a complete ring or a partial belt around a metropolitan area. By providing an alternative to traveling through city centers, tangenziali aim to improve travel times, reduce congestion and, in some cases, lower pollution and improve safety.

Construction and management vary; tangenziali may be built as separate motorways or as sections of autostrade, and they are usually managed by regional or national authorities. They often feature grade-separated interchanges, multiple lanes and controlled access, with tolls in some cases. Some tangenziali are fully around a city, while others are long bypasses that bypass only parts of the urban area.

In Italy, several major cities have tangenziali, such as the Tangenziale di Milano (A50) around Milan, the Tangenziale di Napoli (A56) around Naples, and the Grande Raccordo Anulare around Rome. These belts operate alongside other road categories, including autostrade and regional roads, and may be subject to local traffic regulations or toll schemes. Critics point to potential environmental impact, noise in surrounding areas, and urban sprawl, but supporters argue tangenziali enhance regional mobility and logistics by decoupling city-center and through traffic.