Rome mayor hails historic demolition after 20 years of delays.

Works to demolish the Tangenziale Est overpass in the Tiburtina area of Rome will begin on 5 August according to the city's mayor Virginia Raggi.

Announcing the "historic" move, Raggi said the demolition would bring to an end 20 years of delays caused by bureaucratic, political and planning obstacles.

Raggi said that the works will be carried out in "12 stages over 450 days" and will involve the demolition of approximately 500 metres of the Tangenziale Est in front of Tiburtina station.

The finer details of the project are expected in the coming days, Raggi said, including alternative routes for traffic.

Since its inception in the 1970s, the flyover has been a bone of contention between city planners and local residents as a source air and noise pollution.