by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Everest Bertoli, Trieste councilor for finance
The city of Trieste has launched the first phase of work to replace and modernize its traffic light systems, part of a broader effort to upgrade public lighting infrastructure through a public-private partnership with Edison Next Srl.
The project, presented Monday near the Rogers station on Riva Grumula by Finance Councillor Everest Bertoli, carries a cost of €1.39 million, fully funded by the private partner. It is one of the initiatives outlined in June 2024 when the city signed a 13-year agreement with Edison Next for the energy, technological, and maintenance overhaul of Trieste’s public lighting network.
Work will be carried out on 68 intersections across the city between September 2025 and February 2026. The plan, approved unanimously by the city council in May, includes the installation of new traffic controllers, energy-efficient lights, and in some cases, radars and cameras designed to monitor vehicle flow.
Bertoli said the investment would replace outdated infrastructure that has become increasingly difficult to maintain. “We will intervene on all traffic control units, replace regulators and bulbs, and install cameras and radars for traffic analysis,” he told reporters. The goal, he added, is to reduce breakdowns, improve energy efficiency, and enable faster interventions when issues arise.
Local police will oversee work areas during construction to minimize disruption for residents.
From the technical side, Edison Next emphasized the modernization’s role in advancing the city’s smart traffic management. “The traffic lights will be remotely monitored and equipped with modern technology,” said Domenico Cervelli, director for the company’s northeast division. A new control room, he noted, will allow traffic to be managed in real time.
The modernization of the traffic light network is expected to be the first in a series of upgrades to Trieste’s public lighting system under the long-term partnership.
