The Lakes Highway Turns 100, It Was the First in the World

The Autostrada dei Laghi, the A8 Milan – Varese, turns one hundred years old and the anniversary was celebrated in the historic Autogrill Villoresi Ovest sales point which hosted the official celebrations organized by Autostrade per l’Italia (Aspi) and Automobile Club d’Italia (Aci). An opportunity to pay homage to the first highway in the world, a symbol of the progress of mobility in Italy, whose first century of life is from today onwards also remembered through a celebratory totem that was installed inside the sales point. The celebrations were held in Villoresi Ovest as a symbolic place of the highway and a crucial landmark for local economic development.

Numerous institutions were welcomed: the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini, the President of the Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana, the CEO of Autostrade per l’Italia Roberto Tomasi, the President of the Automobile Club Milano Geronimo La Russa, the Mayor of the Municipality of Lainate, Alberto Landonio. Also present was the CEO Italy F&B of Avolta, of which Autogrill is part, Massimiliano Santoro.

At the end of the institutional moment, the unveiling of a celebratory totem created by Automobile Club Milano and Varese with the contribution of ACI-SARA and the delivery of commemorative plates to the authorities who attended. Finally, to conclude the ceremony, a procession of historic cars, representing the different decades from 1924 to 2024, paraded along a celebratory route dedicated to the authorities, starting from Villoresi Ovest.

“In recent years, some have identified the automobile as the enemy, which must be removed from cities. Some also think that they must be expelled from the production system, but it is not with obligations, prohibitions and regulations that you arrive at green and sustainability. That is how you arrive at layoffs”, declared Matteo Salvini, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.

“We are honored and proud to have been chosen to host the celebrations for the centenary of a strategic infrastructure for the country, the A8 motorway, to whose history and evolution we are deeply linked thanks to the presence of Villoresi Ovest, a point of sale that since its inception has favored travel and encouraged tourist and commercial flows”, commented Massimiliano Santoro, CEO Italy F&B of Avolta who concluded: “The Autostrada dei Laghi has been crucial for the development of mobility in our country and represents a symbol of progress and innovation, just like Villoresi Ovest, which has always been a point of reference for travellers, and through which we have activated important collaborations with local entities active in the territory such as the one with Cometa, committed to welcoming, educating and training children and young people in difficult situations”.

Xavier Rossinyol, CEO of Avolta, commented on this important milestone: “Autogrill has played a fundamental role in history, in redefining the highway travel experience in Italy and around the world. Avolta is proud of this legacy and our commitment to making travelers more satisfied and our passion for providing the best coffee and the tastiest fresh meals to those on the move has only grown. Today we remember our early pioneers, celebrate their vision and triumphs and pay homage to the Italian heart of our global company. Together, we continue our journey to redefine the highway travel experience for future generations.”