Ogliastra is a green plateau connected by a network of winding veins. But the real problem is the arteries, the 389 and the Orientale, the roads that move tourists and goods—in short, money. The finish line is called Olbia, but in between lies a twenty-kilometer bottleneck, the poisonous tailback of state highway 389.
Three of them set out to break the isolation: Ivan Mameli, mayor of Bari Sardo, and minority councilors Bettina Pisanu and Denis Pittalis. In just a few months, they've come a long way and gathered 3,500 fellow travelers. There were some tense moments, but the glass is still full. Today in the chamber were the councils of Lanusei, Arzana, Bari Sardo, Cardedu, Elini, Girasole, Ilbono, Loceri, Osini, Perdasdefogu, Talana and Tertenia, Baunei, Triei, and Lotzorai. Ideally, they're joined by dozens of mayors and the thousands of signatories of the Pro 389 motion. A wall of administrators demanding equal rights to mobility, without controversy. "There's no war over positioning on the roads, especially on provincial road 27," said Davide Burchi at the opening.
Bettina Pisanu clarifies the key points: "It's not a challenge against anyone, but a challenge for infrastructure worthy of respect. Respect that we have for other strategic infrastructure." Daniela Falconi, president of the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI), is clear: "The absolute priority is securing a road used by tens of thousands of people every day. There's a dark area where there's no signal for over an hour. It's unworthy of a civilized society. This issue must be supported."
