Tuscany infrastructure and soil defense management

Tuscany is addressing regional infrastructure stability and soil defense through new funding and organizational restructuring. Following road failures and closures on the Fi-Pi-Li highway near Livorno, European Parliament member Francesco Torselli criticized the management of Toscana Strade, questioning the allocation of maintenance funds since 2020.

In response to these safety needs, the Tuscany Regional Council has approved the second installment of the 2026 Operational Document for Soil Defense. This includes allocating over 3.5 million euros to the Province of Pistoia for hydraulic realignment and expansion basins, such as those for the Ombrone Pistoiese basin and Fosso Ombroncello. Additional funds are earmarked for hydraulic safety in the Cessana and Pescia streams, alongside interventions to restore roads damaged by landslides.

To address management concerns, the regional government has moved forward with a proposal to establish ‘Toscana Strade’ as a new, wholly-owned in-house company. The Tuscany regional government has now unanimously approved this proposal to manage the 99-kilometer Firenze-Pisa-Livorno (Fi-Pi-Li) highway, which handles approximately 50,000 vehicles daily.

Regional President Eugenio Giani stated the company’s mission is to move beyond routine maintenance to implement substantial upgrades, including the addition of third lanes and improved safety shoulders. The company is planned to launch with 3.5 million euros in initial capital, supported by a 5-million-euro regional contribution and 50% of the revenue from speeding fines. The proposal now moves to the Regional Council for a final vote, expected by mid-October. Giani also indicated that a free-flow toll for heavy goods vehicles (TIR) is being considered for 2028, potentially generating 15 to 18 million euros annually.