A decades-long awaited road. The people of Burcei were finally able to hear the construction schedule for the new "Burcei-Sinnai-Maracalagonis-vecchia Orientale Sarda" road link live during the public meeting held the other evening in town with the mayor of the metropolitan city, Massimo Zedda, the general director of the same territorial authority, and the head of traffic, Paolo Mereu.
Also present were the mayors of Sinnai, Barbara Pusceddu (who is deputy mayor of the metropolitan city) and Francesca Fadda of Maracalagonis.
With them was the mayor of Burcei, Simone Monni. Listening alongside the citizens of Burcei were representatives of the "Burcei Road Committee," which has long been committed to this cause.
"The municipal administration, supported by the population," Mayor Simone Monni said, "strongly supported this meeting to provide definitive clarity on the process and timeline for the construction of the new provincial road. This is a vitally important project for the area, one we have been working on since day one of our mandate and will continue to monitor, working with the Metropolitan City of Cagliari to achieve this goal. As mayor," Mayor Monni concluded, "I can say I am satisfied, as it would also be a source of immense pride for me and the municipal administration to be remembered for our tremendous commitment to making the greatest dream of the people of Burcere a reality."
During the meeting, organized by the Municipality and the "Road Committee," it was announced that work on the second phase will begin next April, for a total cost of €1 million.
Work on the third lot is expected to begin in mid-2027, which, along with the fourth, represents the most significant portion of the project in terms of length and technical complexity. The first lot has already been completed, with an estimated cost of €65 million. The route will be 17 kilometers long. The entire project is expected to be completed in approximately four years. Its completion would mark the end of Burcei's historic isolation, allowing for a faster connection to Cagliari and its hinterland, significantly reducing travel times.
Meanwhile, maintenance work is planned on the SP 21, currently in critical condition and deemed unsafe and nearly impassable, especially on foggy days. "Every trip that takes us out of Burcei or back home represents a risk to our safety," emphasizes Andrea Lobina.
"Up until now, we've only heard empty promises," stated Salvatore Malloru. "We demand that the commitments made finally be reflected in reality, with precise and verifiable timelines."
"We have a right to this new artery," Vittorio Monni reiterated, "because Burcei is a town of commuters forced to travel daily to Cagliari and the hinterland for work, study, healthcare, and access to essential goods and services."
The depopulation phenomenon can only be linked to the town's isolation. In 2020, Burcei had a population of 2,660. Today, it has 2,580. In the early 2000s, it exceeded 3,000 residents. "If things continue like this, the town risks disappearing," emphasized Ignazio Saddi. "A path," concluded Vittorio Monni and Salvatore Malloru, "that must become a reality while respecting the rights of our community and our future."
