The Matthew at JCU In Photos

Potholes, Patchwork and Promises: Jubilee Work In Portuense-Arvalia Unfinished 

A man makes his way inside Rome’s XI Municipio, Arvalia-Portuense in via Portuense 579 on March 17, 2025. The government allocated 1million euros for the 11the municipio to invest in rebuilding for the jubilee.

In Photos

By Tommaso Zerbo | Photoreporter

With one million euros allocated by the Italian government for improvements ahead of this year’s Jubilee, Rome’s Municipio 11 Portuense-Arvalia was set to receive long-overdue upgrades. But walking through the streets today reveals a mixed picture: while some areas show remodelling others remain untouched, raising questions about how the money was spent, where and why. Announced in March 2024 by the Commune di Roma, the funding was part of a broader Jubilee plan to modernize public spaces, improve safety, and enhance accessibility across the capital.  

“We’ve waited years for this road to be fixed, and now we’ll wait years for it to be finished,” said Antonio Sevi, a 87-year-old grandfather who lives in the neighborhood since the 60’s. “It’s like they run out of asphalt halfway through the job.” 

Some improvements include Largo la Loggia, which has been entirely repaved, the streetlights were repainted, and a new third lane exclusive for buses and taxis now runs through Via Portuense. Additionally, the long awaited renovation of the Ponte dell’Industria has been completed. Yet, problems persist: Villa Flora, Portuense’s greenest historical park, still awaits for adequate maintenance, and other residential areas, especially near Via del Trullo, continue to suffer from neglected infrastructure.

While some improvements in Portuense-Arvalia are visible, the overall progress has been uneven. The mixed results from the million-euro investment leave residents frustrated, questioning whether the funds are being used where they’re needed most. With the Jubilee currently taking place, the remaining work must be addressed quickly to meet the expectations of the community and avoid further delays. The real test will be whether the finishing touches can be made in time, or if this project will fall short of its goals. 

A reflection of a bed and a balcony as viewed through a window from the author’s home in Via Antonio Oroboni in the Portuense neighborhood in Rome. February 3, 2025.   
A man makes his way inside Rome’s XI Municipio, Arvalia-Portuense in via Portuense 579 on March 17, 2025. The government allocated 1million euros for the Municipio 11 to invest in rebuilding for the jubilee.
A father and his children cross the street of Largo La Loggia on March 23, 2025. The street was re-paved on occasions of the Jubilee, and a third lane was added exclusively for taxis and buses. 
A statue of the Virgin Mary perches on the side of San Francesco di Sales church in via Portuense 542 on March 2, 2025. 
Antonio Sevi, 87, waves from his balcony in via Adeodato Matricardi on March 25, 2025. 
View of Largo La Loggia’s newly re-paved street as seen from Via Portuense on March 24, 2025.
Alessio Fazzi 67, replants some flowers as he keeps watch over Villa Flora on March 27, 2025. Alessio Fazzi expresses his discontent over the situation: “I find it unbelievable.”
View of Villa Flora’s central estate, left abandoned since time immemorial, on March 15, 2025. 
Construction work on via Portuense is not yet done, as seen by the leftover scaffoldings on March 23, 2025.
Construction barricades block the street on via Pietro Frattini on March 29, 2025 
A statue of the Virgin Mary at the church of Santa Silvia on via di Santa Silvia on March 28, 2025