Regarding the situation of the roads damaged by the ongoing construction of the Tyrrhenian Link power line, a meeting was held in recent days between the Metropolitan City of Cagliari, represented by official Paolo Mereu, Terna, and the Roda company to explore possible solutions to alleviate the disruption.
Mereu discussed the most sensitive issues regarding the accessibility and safety of the affected roads. Specifically, he discussed the repairs on provincial roads 15 and 17, the progress of the work, the presence of traffic controllers, the optimization of traffic light timing, and the possibility of scheduling an additional night shift.
These were reportedly the responses from representatives of Terna and the Roda company. "Regarding the repairs," says Paolo Mereu, "they immediately expressed their willingness to undertake them. They proposed asphalting the half-lane on some sections and inspecting all sections where the repairs were showing signs of deterioration. The Metropolitan City declined the asphalting proposal for the half-lane because, even if properly executed, it would have created a longitudinal step at the center line, which would be dangerous for traffic. An inspection was requested to identify the sections requiring asphalt paving. It was agreed that the repairs will be carried out on all sections deemed to be improperly executed."
Regarding the progress of the work, "Terna's project management team has agreed to send a geo-referenced file within a few days, detailing the exact location of the sections where the work has already been completed. This will allow for a complete understanding of the progress of the work and potential traffic-related remedies."
Regarding the presence of traffic control personnel, according to a statement from the Metropolitan City, "an extension of the traffic controllers' presence has been agreed upon until 9 pm on provincial road 15 and until 10 pm on provincial road 17."
Regarding traffic light timing, the contractor maintained that "they have already tested the use of traffic lights with sensors to manage queues, but with very little satisfaction. They express doubts about modifying the direction and "idle" times, given users' propensity to anticipate or skip the "red" times. They have, however, agreed to extend the traffic controllers' presence during peak traffic hours to prevent queues and the risk of one-way traffic violations."
Regarding the extension of the night shift , "work that can be performed away from residential areas so as not to create noise issues will be evaluated, in consultation with the safety coordinator. The company has expressed some doubts about the actual reduction in execution times."
The Metropolitan City, Mereu further recalls, has acted as the spokesperson for the "request made by the Municipality of Quartu and Maracalagonis to suspend work to coincide with the days when schools reopen . In this regard, the company has highlighted that suspending work on the days when schools reopen presents many critical points, both for work currently underway, where there would not be sufficient time to secure and/or remove the construction sites, and for some work currently underway that cannot be suspended. In any case, they propose the presence of traffic controllers in force on the days when schools first reopen, also to allow for quicker movement and passage of both public transport and local traffic."
As is known, the outcome of this meeting did not satisfy the mayor of Maracalagonis, Francesca Fadda, who informed the relevant ministries, Sardinian MPs, the Region, and the Prefect via certified email, urgently requesting the establishment of a parliamentary commission of inquiry or an urgent hearing on the project. A new meeting is scheduled to be held tomorrow in Cagliari, again at the Metropolitan City headquarters.
