«Until 2025, companies that transport loads in Liguria will suffer. With these construction sites, working times are lengthened and the consequences are borne by the individual drivers.” Gianluca Timossi, secretary of the Italian Road Transport Federation of Turin, raises his voice in front of the construction sites blocking traffic on the Turin-Savona. Of 400 associated companies, around fifty travel through those lanes every day. Just three weeks ago the Federation met in the Prefecture of Turin with the concessionaires Sitaf of the A32 (Turin-Bardonecchia) and Autostrada dei Fiori, which manages the A6, to express its point of view on the works on these two motorways.
What emerged?
«At Autostrada dei Fiori we underlined the slight improvement compared to last winter from the construction point of view. But we also denounced the suffering of our companies traveling from Turin to the port of Genoa and the low margins in the fares.”
What were your requests?
«Greater coordination and advance knowledge of the construction site calendar, so as to be aware of what the truck drivers will have to face. This last point because we would like to suggest to companies how to carry out their work in the best possible conditions, in particular during periods in which they are under pressure”.
When am I most under pressure?
«In June, July and December».
What difficulties do truck drivers encounter?
«Faced with inadequate infrastructure, working times increase. Yet, for those who drive heavy vehicles there are stringent operating times. Loading and unloading goods takes two and a half hours. They have to take a break every 4 and a half hours and in the eighth or ninth hour of work they stop with the risk of not returning home or to the company headquarters.”
Where do they stop?
«In the rest areas along the motorway, but those available are not optimal. Few guarantee excellent sanitary facilities and refreshment points. Not to mention the safety is not guaranteed.”
Other critical points for the category?
«In Piedmont we are experiencing great difficulties in the Mont Blanc passes due to the failure to reopen the Fréjus and on the Turin ring road, where the works on the stretch from Caselle to the Corso Regina Margherita exit have created endless queues in recent months».
