City starts public works.

The first public works in preparation for the Holy Year of Mercy are scheduled to start on 7 September around Stazione Termini.

The work around the station includes upgrading the surface on the roads, better sign posting, extra parking for airport buses and improved flow of traffic.

The city is using €50 million from central government funding to undertake the first works, Decisions on how to use another €30 million will be taken during the next few weeks.

There will also be improvement to the Lungotevere embankments leading to St Peter's, resulting in delays for traffic between now and December.

The areas around S. Pietro and Ostiense stations will be upgraded, as will the gardens in Piazza Vittorio and the bridges from Ponte Milvio to Castel S. Angelo.

The plans were confirmed days after the city's prefect Franco Gabrielli was given sweeping powers to supervise aspects of the city’s regulations, the accounts and contracts for crucial services before the opening of the Jubilee Year.