Sicilian motorways A18 and A20 face speed limits and maintenance

The Consorzio Autostrade Siciliane (CAS) has implemented new safety measures on the A18 Catania-Messina and A20 Palermo-Messina motorways. Due to urgent maintenance and risk mitigation work on viaducts and road barriers, specific sections of these routes will face lane narrowings, overtaking bans, and speed limits of 60 km/h.

CAS clarified that these restrictions are not applied to the entire motorway network but are limited to mobile construction sites that will progress through the affected areas. On the A20, these measures are expected to remain in place until December 31, 2026, while restrictions on the A18 are scheduled until December 18, 2026.

The measures have drawn criticism from Federconsumatori Sicilia. The association has called for an immediate suspension of tolls on the affected stretches, arguing that the service quality is no longer guaranteed given the significant travel delays and reduced speeds. Federconsumatori also noted that the current situation is a consequence of years of inadequate maintenance planning.