A large wound left by the flood of May 2023 has been resolved. After thirteen months, today’s afternoon the state road 71 “Umbro Casentinese Romagnola” definitively reopened at kilometer 229. Just in time for the passage of the Florence – Rimini stage of the Tour de France. The asphalting was completed during the night between Friday and Saturday, then the inspection by technicians and authorities took place and therefore the passage of vehicles was allowed again, without limitations. Present at the reopening were the head of the Anas department, the deputy minister Galeazzo Bignami, the parliamentarian Alice Buonguerrieri, the mayors Enrico Cangini of Sarsina, Enrico Spighi of Bagno di Romagna and Enrico Salvi of Verghereto.
The road was interrupted by a landslide in May 2023. It was completely closed until January, causing serious inconvenience for example for the residents of Quarto who, if they had to go to the nearby capital Sarsina, had to take the E45 and take it at Bagno di Romagna. A long ride. Then in January the road was reopened for alternating one-way residents, but then underwent further closures until yesterday’s solution.
Anas explains in a note that «the interventions were aimed at restoring the road body in the stretch where since last January the road had been reopened to transit during daytime but only for residents. The works involved the construction of a subslope wall based on piles and two bulkheads, as well as rock blasting and cortical strengthening of the upstream banks. What was carried out is part of the broader program of interventions for the road axis, with an investment of almost 10 million (which includes resurfacing of pavements, interventions to improve the banks and restoration of works of art), as well as the urgent works carried out after flood events, for an amount of over 5 million euros, to ensure the safe reopening of the affected stretch. Furthermore, since May 2023, works have been started for the restoration of road pavements, for the improvement and safety of banks and slopes, with a total investment of 12 million euros”. And after the passage of the Tour de France “the investment plan will continue with the redevelopment of the state road which will involve new construction sites and subsequent traffic restrictions”.
Mayor Cangini is obviously satisfied: «I express gratitude for the work done and also for the patience that my fellow citizens have shown. It was truly important structural work, with increased inconveniences also for the works in the Quarto tunnel which were announced to be completed in the short term. As mayor I did what I could: urged the higher bodies such as the ministry and Commissioner Figliuolo. And we gave 300 euros to workers who had to travel and had road problems.”
