2026 Olympic Games - The Apollonio-Socrepes Cable Car System Is Finally Under Construction
Construction has officially begun on the Apollonio-Socrepes cable car, a €25 million infrastructure project intended to bolster Cortina’s transport network for the 2026 Winter Olympics. But as bulldozers roll in, so do waves of criticism, legal challenges, and environmental concerns.
"The new Apollonio-Socrepes cable car system is being built. Negotiations have been completed, and the contract has been awarded."
The government representative, architect Fabio Massimo Saldini, announced the conclusion of the negotiated procedure with the award of the works to a temporary consortium consisting of Graffer, Dolomiti Strade and Ecoedile.
The facility will include the construction of ten towers and three stations—a valley, intermediate, and summit station. It will be equipped with 50 cabins, each capable of carrying ten people, with a capacity of 2,400 people per hour.
The Apollonio-Socrepes cable car project in Cortina d'Ampezzo, intended to be a key piece of infrastructure for the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, is facing a growing wave of criticism and controversy from local residents, environmental groups, and even some public authorities. Despite being touted as a strategic solution for Olympic logistics and traffic congestion, the project has been plagued by objections regarding its necessity, environmental impact, and a perceived lack of transparency in its development.
Originally conceived to provide easier access to the Tofane ski area and alleviate road traffic, the Apollonio-Socrepes cable car has drawn fire for several reasons. Critics argue that the project is "short-sighted and disconnected from local heritage and needs," contrasting it sharply with historical, more harmonious developments in the region. Concerns have been raised about the project's actual utility, with questions surfacing about who will use the cable car to reach summer destinations like the Cinque Torri or Passo Falzarego.
A significant point of contention is the inadequacy of planned parking facilities at the cable car's starting point. While essential for the project's functionality, these structures are reportedly not on track to be completed in time for the Olympics, further undermining the project's stated goals of improving mobility.
Environmental impact is another major flashpoint. The project has faced initial objections from bodies such as the Superintendency, the Basin Authority, and the Province of Belluno, along with geologists and a substantial portion of the local population. These concerns are amplified by broader anxieties about global warming and its effect on snow cover at lower altitudes, making large-scale ski infrastructure investments increasingly questionable. The use of water for snowmaking in a context of growing water scarcity also adds to the environmental debate.
"After the Sliding Centre, this project also seemed virtually impossible, amid objections, information leaks, and failed tenders. Thanks to exceptional cooperation and teamwork, in which we worked literally day and night, we will build the Apollonio-Socrepes cable car in time for the 2026 Olympic Games. The work will be carried out, together with Ecoedile and Dolomiti Strade, by the Graffer company, which built facilities for the 1956 Olympic Games in Cortina and later for the 2006 Games in Turin. After 70 years of activity, Graffer is thus crowning its activity with this challenging and complex project, which will represent an extraordinary legacy for the entire Ampezzo region. I would like to thank all my employees and everyone who supported us in this endeavor."
From a technical point of view, the installation of an advanced geotechnical and structural monitoring system is planned, linked to the facility's management system, enabling real-time monitoring of any slope movements and structural changes.
With a view to the project's sustainability, the color and form of the supports were designed to ensure optimal integration into the landscape. Polymetallic and graduated paint finishes were used, allowing for smooth visual transitions between the structure and the surrounding environment. The project is also compatible with future development plans for the area, particularly the construction of an underground parking lot and the planned road bypasses around Cortina.
“Regarding the geological and geotechnical concerns, SIMICO has developed a targeted investigation plan so that the facility can be built safely – to protect the public, as with all other structures in the Olympic plan,” Saldini concluded.
Work is scheduled to be completed by the Winter Olympics in February 2026...... fingers crossed!
