Monday, February 12th, 2024, saw the opening of the construction site for the »Redevelopment of the Transalpina/Europe Square and the Tridente in the Municipality of Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and the Municipality of Gorizia (Italy)«. This is one of the most important projects within the so-called ECOC District, which will be the main site of the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica-Gorizia.

The construction project includes the renovation of the Transalpina/Europe Square and part of the so-called Fabiani’s Trident (Caprin, Foscolo and Luzzato streets) on the italian side. The main contractor for the construction job is the Italian construction company ICI COOP. The contract is worth almost 2.9 million euros (precisely 2,835,259.91 euros, including 2,191,967.03 euros for the renovation of Transalpina/Europe Square and 643,292.88 euros for the renovation of Fabiani’s Trident on the Italian side).

This is a cross-border investment for which - thanks to the constructive cooperation of the two municipalities, the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Republic of Slovenia - EGTC GO has obtained EU funding under the FVG Regional Operational Program (ROP ERDF 2021-2027) as part of the "Europe 27 Program" and the Slovenian National Operational Program (OP 2021-2027). The renovation of Transalpina/Europe Square is recognized as a strategic project in both programming documents. The funding for the design, supervision, other technical services and the actual works comes from this item.

The project is financed by:
- ERDF Regional Programme ERDF 2021-2027, Autonomous Region Friuli Venezia Giulia for a maximum amount of € 2,300,000.00
- Slovenian National Programme PON ERDF 2021/2027 for a maximum amount of € 766,427.81
- Slovenian Government for a maximum amount of € 766,427.81
- Own resources of the Municipality of Nova Gorica (Sl) up to a maximum amount of € 383,213.90

The cross-border Transalpina/Europe Square is the symbol of the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica - Gorica and is a true emblem of the European spirit. This place was divided by the border and other physical barriers for decades: now it has once again become a shared space. Thanks to the aforementioned investments, the square will become more welcoming and attractive, while preserving the present historical elements.

The construction is scheduled to finish by the end of 2024.
As already highlighted on several public occasions addressed to the citizens of the two cities, EGTC GO is in constant dialogue with the relevant authorities to coordinate this intervention with the other construction sites affecting the area. A dedicated section is available on the EGTC website to communicate information and facilitate communication to all interested parties.
Just under 1,5 million euros (exactly €1,416,405.18) for the renovation of Transalpina/Europe square and Fabiani’s Trident are available under the 2021-2027 ERDF ROP. The remaining €1,418,854.73 euros come from the 2021-2027 ERDF NOP (part of these funds are provided by the Municipality of Nova Gorica), while the renovation of Fabiani’s Trident will be fully financed by the 2021-2027 ERDF ROP.

The renovation of Transalpina/Europe Square is a multifaceted project that has gone through several stages and processes. From the acquisition of funding to the careful preparation of the design documentation, to the selection of the contractor for the construction and lastly to the actual construction work. 

The tender process for the preparation of the project documentation for construction, site management and safety coordination was finished in the spring of 2023. A group of Italian and Slovenian experts was selected as the project team, consisting of: Architectural firm Ravnikar Potokar d. o.o. (Ljubljana), Edil Inženiring d.o.o. (Nova Gorica), D:RH Architetti Associati (Venice), SA architetti associati, (Venice), Sertec Engineering (Loranzè, TO), Detajl Infrastruktura d.o.o. (Vipava), PINSS d.o.o., (Nova Gorica), Erdado d.o.o. (Ajdovščina), Lozej d.o.o. (Ajdovščina). 

The new look of the Transalpina/Europe Square will consist of a greener square, as 20 new trees will be planted and ground water fountains, while preserving the historic mosaic in the centre of the square. In addition to the renovation of the square, the project includes new street paving of the bordering Caprin, Luzzato and Foscolo streets, as well as the part of Kolodvorska Street between the square and the train station.