The surface is in ruins and the work is almost impassable. Cossatzu-Tascusì is the highest road in Sardinia. Closed for decades following a judicial investigation, it was released from seizure in 2020. Built on the slopes of Gennargentu between Aritzo and Desulo, it has always been an essential crossroads for transport and trade. Or it should be.

Now hope is rekindled, with the announcement of the agreement for the planning of the renovation. But skepticism remains. Although some extraordinary maintenance works have been carried out by the Province of Nuoro in recent months.

«In my opinion», explains the deputy mayor of Aritzo, Gianluca Moro , «the route of the road was better originally: little was needed to make it more efficient without completely destroying the mountain. Now the road is in poor condition again."

Moro continues: «Despite the intervention carried out in the summer, the recent rains have once again created potholes and swamps. Causing it to continually degrade. With the restored route we would reach Nuoro in less than an hour."

Thus Maria Luisa Casula, a tourist entrepreneur in Desulo: «Compared to before, it is now more accessible. Many complained because they got stuck traveling along it, resulting in a series of innumerable inconveniences."

The tourist entrepreneurs are confident, convinced from the first hour of the importance of the work: «It is an essential route», explains Sebastiano Frongia, of the “Is Cubas” restaurant in Tascusì, « not only for the mountain but for the whole territory . We hope that the tender will be out soon and the work will begin."

This is echoed by Bachis Cadau, owner of the “Barbagia Ospitale”: «It is important because the runoff from the mountain helps to bring customers to our premises. Halving arrival times. It is also essential for trips to the Nuoro hospital. An important capital also passes through its connections with peripheral centres".

And regarding citizens' mobilisations, the mayor of Desulo Gian Cristian Melis reiterates: «The protests of entrepreneurs and the population are amply justified. I invite them to continue to believe in the mountains, but I urge the region, the province and the state to invest in these areas."

In the meantime, in Desulo itself the signing of the agreement between the region and province is expected on Wednesday 20th: 6 million and 232 thousand euros on the table. Barbagia confidently awaits the start of construction sites.

«We know», concludes Cadau, «during electoral periods it is asphalted. But it is part of that democracy that serves to accelerate periods of competition."

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