Rome residents and tourists should prepare for significant traffic disruptions through the New year as the city balances ongoing religious observances with scheduled infrastructure projects. Closures surrounding the closing of the Holy Doors at both Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano and Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura will impact vehicle access this weekend. Extended pedestrian zones and ongoing roadwork, particularly in the EUR district, will further complicate travel throughout the city center and beyond for the remainder of the year.
Rome residents and visitors should anticipate traffic disruptions and altered transportation schedules through the New Year, as the city continues holiday celebrations and ongoing infrastructure work. Several key areas will experience restrictions on vehicle access as a result.
A ceremony marking the closing of the Holy Door at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 27. Authorities expect a large turnout of worshippers and are warning of potential congestion around Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano and Piazza di Porta San Giovanni. Parking and traffic will be prohibited on Piazza Giovanni Paolo II, Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, Piazza di Porta San Giovanni, and in the parking area in front of the Holy Stairs.
The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls will close its Holy Door on Sunday, December 28, also anticipating significant crowds and potential traffic issues in the surrounding area.
Imperial Forums to be Pedestrianized
The pedestrianization of Via dei Fori Imperiali, which began during the Christmas and Saint Stephen’s Day holidays, will continue through Saturday, December 27, and Sunday, December 28, as it does on the last weekend of each month. Bus lines 51, 75, 85, 87, and 118 will experience route deviations. The nMB night bus route will also be altered. Line 117 will also have a changed route on Saturday, December 27, though it does not typically operate on holidays.
Ongoing Roadwork in EUR District
Construction work in Viale del Pattinaggio in the EUR district will continue through December 31. This work will result in parking and stopping restrictions, lane reductions, and a speed limit of 30 km/h during two periods: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
Limited Traffic Zones
Rome’s daytime limited traffic zones (ZTL) in the city center will be active daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through January 6. The Tridente ZTL will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during the same period. Other ZTLs, including those in Trastevere, San Lorenzo, Centro, and Testaccio, will follow their usual schedules. The move underscores the city’s ongoing efforts to manage traffic flow in historic areas.
An extraordinary central ZTL (Centro and Tridente) will be activated for New Year’s Eve, remaining in effect continuously from 6:30 a.m. on December 31 to 6:30 a.m. on January 1.
