Italy upgrades Asse Mediano, SS690 tunnel and Sardinian State Road 130
The Asse Mediano, formerly the post‑war “Strada Americana,” has evolved into a key super‑highway (Statale 162) linking the north‑Naples hinterland with the port of Naples, the A1 motorway and the coastal corridor. Built in the 1970s–80s to support industrial growth, it now serves hundreds of thousands of daily users while its industrial zone at Ponte Riccio faces decline.
In central Italy, the SS690 tunnel through Monte Salviano will be closed by the end of June for a €6.7 million safety retrofit. The upgrade adds LED lighting, automated ventilation, smoke sensors, 24‑hour video surveillance and advanced fire‑suppression systems, addressing long‑standing safety concerns on a heavily trafficked route that connects Abruzzo and Lazio.
On Sardinia, a €300 million project to transform the Statale 130 into a primary extra‑urban road (type B) has reached the consultation stage. Mayors of Assemini, Decimomannu and Elmas have submitted routing variations to protect private property, preserve agricultural land and improve local traffic flow, aiming to eliminate dangerous at‑grade crossings and enhance overall safety. Construction is slated to begin in 2028 after final approvals in July.