The original design was to have a central dual carriageway as Autostrada A4 (motorway A4), and alongside a separated single carriageway to serve as a local beltway (similar to what was built around Bologna) but it had high costs for a motorway that was not expected to carry much through traffic.

A second definitive solution was to build the Passante di Mestre: opened on 8 February 2009, after about 4 years and a half of construction.

It completely bypasses the Tangenziale di Mestre, finally separating Autostrada A4 from the local beltway.

Unfortunately, the signage has not been adapted to take account of this development confusing the poor motorist without local knowledge.

The beltway is managed by Società delle Autostrade di Venezia e Padova[1] and Autovie Venete S.p.A.[2]