Bridge on the Asse Mediano in Cagliari, there is money but it is controversial

After a 20-year battle, finally the project for the cycle/pedestrian bridge that will unite the two neighborhoods cut by the Asse mediano, La Palma and Amsicora. The resolution approved Thursday by the Regional Council puts 4.1 million euros on the table for "A work to cross the Asse mediano di velocità near the junction of via dei Salinieri and via Tramontana on the same Asse mediano" and for the completion of the cycle path between via Dei Conversi and the intersection between via La Palma and via Tramontana. What is written in the document proposed by the regional councilor for Public Works Antonio Piu should be more than enough to discard the hypothesis on which the mayor Massimo Zedda had focused: a roundabout, with two cycle/pedestrian crossings at ground level. A choice strongly contested by the cycling associations

Doubts and denials

"The funding allocated by the Region, which will be divided among several cities, assigns to Cagliari a share of approximately 4 million euros", says the municipal councilor Yuri Marcialis, who adds, dampening the enthusiasm supported by the regional resolution. "The general idea is to create a cycle/pedestrian connection between the neighborhoods of La Palma and Monte Mixi, but I want to clarify one point: the hypotheses circulating in the press in recent days do not come from the municipal administration. These are unofficial elaborations, which do not reflect the choices that we are evaluating in a serious and responsible way. Our offices, of the Strategic Works Service - continues Marcialis - are already working to identify the most effective project solution, taking into account both the available resources and the specific purposes of the funding".

Project and controversies

Italo Meloni, professor of Transport at the University of Cagliari and head of Cirem (the inter-university centre for economic research and mobility of the University of Cagliari and Sassari) starts from the work of a young architect (Nicola Miscali) who has studied the cycle/pedestrian bridge in depth in a degree thesis. «The design idea already exists, the funding – studied in function of that project – is there, it is a question of understanding whether it will have to be managed by the Metropolitan City or by the Municipality».

A detail of no small importance on the use of funds, the purpose of which, however, seems to be shielded. "The money is more than sufficient and will allow the regeneration of a non-place and allow access to the Molentargius park, while waiting for the completion of the path for the connection with Via Roma, now interrupted by the ban on access to the Su Siccu promenade that runs alongside the Marina Militare. I hope - he adds without hiding the controversy - that the next president of the Port Authority will be more far-sighted".

No to the roundabout

Virgilio Scanu is the combative president of the environmentalist association Fiab. "A solution at ground level, as proposed by the Puc, that is, a roundabout on the Asse mediano between via dei Salinieri and via Tramontana, would only favor cars and would endanger pedestrians and cyclists. The only project we believe to be valid is that of the University." Hope is the last to die. "Finally, after a battle lasting 20 years, fought against various administrations, a dream comes true."

Uncertainties about the timing

Anna Cerina is the representative of the Amsicora neighborhood committee. "We are optimistic, the project was approved by the Region and it seems that there are no more doubts. Let's hope for the best", she comments, not hiding a slight skepticism. "What worries us most, given the progress of the construction sites in the city, are the times for the construction of the cycle/pedestrian bridge and the quality of the executing company".

Andrea Artizzu

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