BARLETTA – Work on the Ponente coast road, dedicated to the legendary Pietro Mennea, is still underway. And summer has more than begun. A situation which for some time has effectively made a good part of the area an open-air construction site. However, according to what was reported by the Aqueduct Pugliese «the works for the rehabilitation of the sewage system on the Ponente seafront are nearing completion. The important infrastructural intervention, aimed at making the operation of the sewerage lifting systems present on the seafront more efficient and rational, financed with the amount of 3.5 million euros, will be completed in the first week of July.»
And then: «When the construction site is closed, only the last 250 meters of pipes are missing, to be laid along the cycle path in the stretch between the so-called “Canale H” and the Via Di Cuonzo roundabout. The arrangement of the entire road surface affected by the works will follow.” is specified in a press release.
In this regard, the position of the mayor Cosimo Cannito is somewhat irritated and regarding what is happening he specifies that: «we note with regret the statement from the Aquedotto Pugliese. I am forced to ask the citizens and all the commercial operators in the area (Lidi Balneari) for collaboration and patience, also communicating that the Administration sends a daily reminder to complete the works. And this is why, at the request of the Pugliese Aqueduct, we have ordered the closure of the contra-road from the Via Dicuonzo roundabout to the Strada delle Salinelle to traffic from Monday to Friday.»
Palmino Canfora, provincial president of Confesercenti is worried: «It’s definitely not good news. We hope that this last date for completing the work will be respected. All of us operators and ordinary citizens just have to accept the Mayor’s invitation to be patient and collaborative.»
Antonio Quarto, Fipe Confcommercio representative of Barletta, underlining that «Months ago we had already asked for reassurances and were informed that Acquedotto would respect the date of 18 June. Without prejudice to the fundamental importance of these works, and despite understanding the technical difficulties faced, we are not willing to wait even one day longer than the last date communicated to us. We ask that the Administration follow up on the promises made regarding the maintenance of the staircase connecting to the historic center, the balustrades of the coast road and the installation of the furnishings, at least in this way we can try to give a minimum of dignity to an area that deserves much more consideration.”
«Without a shadow of a doubt, these works which have been going on for some time are causing us considerable inconvenience – said Fedele Boccasini, member of the Assobalneari national council of Confindustria -. However, we are equally aware that once completed we will all have great benefits. Now we need to respect the deadlines.»
