Two hundred and thirty kilometers tormented by diversions, endless construction sites and restrictions. From Cagliari to Sassari (and vice versa) State Road 131 is a concentration of dangers that turns every journey into a nightmare for motorists. But there is a precise point on the Carlo Felice which has carved out a curious record for itself: at kilometer 93, at Fenosu (southbound), for years the roadway has been reduced to a single lane for a few hundred metres. Works in progress? Nope, not even a shadow of workers. An apparently unjustified interruption for those passing by: no collapse in the asphalt, guardrail intact, yet the signs indicate the closure of a lane for a short interval of road.
From the National Autonomous State Roads Company they clarify: «At kilometer 93 of state road 131, in the locality of Fenosu, there is a bridge. During a periodic inspection, which Anas carries out on its structures every three months, a deterioration was found. As a precaution, to protect traffic, a narrowing was established in May 2022, only on the carriageway towards Cagliari, which has not currently had any repercussions on traffic".
Long times
The fact is that for eighteen months (says Anas but those who travel along the 131 daily swear that there are many more), motorists have been forced to stick to a single lane, with the resulting safety problems. It is certainly not the first time that the section above the bridge has been affected by load tests: already in March 2007, announcing the modernization of the Carlo Felice, Anas communicated «the load tests for the static testing of the bridge to height of km 93.070 of state road 131" and consequently "traffic coming from Sassari and heading to Cagliari, Oristano, Fenosu will be diverted onto state road 338 in the direction of Oristano". And today the same danger highlighted 16 years ago. For the moment, a precautionary closure to preserve the stretch in poor condition: a real construction site does not yet exist, but it could open soon if checks highlight the need for safety measures.
«Further investigations»
«We have not forgotten about the construction site - the Anas press office continues - in this period of time which may seem excessive to non-experts, a series of checks have been carried out. An external professional was appointed who carried out a series of investigations into the structure. Further investigations are planned in the coming weeks, as well as a load test which will allow, together with the previous analyzes already carried out, to precisely define the limits of use of the work of art, and future interventions on the structure". These are routine checks which this time must take into account the critical signs highlighted during the surveys which are periodically carried out by Anas technicians.
