Politics · Italy · 13 hrs ago
Sicilian motorways face calls for safer roads and suspended tolls
Gaetano Failla, a retired observer of Sicily’s roads, says the island’s motorways have suffered years of poor maintenance.
He points to urgent repair work and a 60 km/h limit on the A20 between Messina and Palermo until December 2026.
After recent earthquakes near Alicudi, visual checks by Anas and the Sicilian highway operator found the roads passable, but Failla argues that vibrations could worsen damage in already weakened structures.
He also criticises the unfinished Siracusa-Gela motorway and deterioration at the newly opened Cassibile overpass.
He says drivers should not pay tolls for unsafe roads and supports suspending charges on the A18 and A20.
Failla also calls for transparent information about construction sites through 2026, while the Ministry is reported to be threatening to revoke the highway operator’s concession.
A reader commentary in Il Fatto Quotidiano calls for suspending tolls on Sicily’s A18 and A20 motorways, arguing that drivers should not pay to use unsafe roads.
The writer says a 60 km/h speed limit on the A20 between Messina and Palermo is in place until December 2026.
The commentary raises concerns about the condition of bridges, tunnels and guardrails, and about the effects of seismic activity near Alicudi.
It also criticizes emergency repairs and calls for transparency on works underway through 2026.
The writer says Sicily’s Siracusa-Gela motorway remains unfinished and cites recent repairs to the Cassibile overpass.
- Who
- Gaetano Failla, a reader and pensioner writing in a commentary.
- What
- He calls for safer Sicilian motorways, transparency about roadworks and suspension of tolls on the A18 and A20.
- When
- The commentary was published on November 8, 2026. It says the A20 speed limit runs until December 2026.
- Where
- Sicily, Italy, including the A18 and A20 motorways.
- Why
- Failla argues that the roads are unsafe and that charging tolls is immoral while they remain in poor condition.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Failla says some Sicilian motorway guardrails date from the 1970s.
The A20 between Messina and Palermo has a 60 km/h speed limit, according to the commentary.
Failla says the Sicilian regional government funded urgent repairs to the newly inaugurated Cassibile overpass.
Failla refers to the next regional elections.
- A20 speed limit
- 60 km/h until December 2026
- Toll roads named
- A18 and A20
- Seismic activity mentioned
- Alicudi area; magnitude 5.5 quake
- Road project described as unfinished
- Siracusa-Gela motorway
- Election year cited
- 2027
What people are saying
It is immoral to ask for a toll to travel on unsafe roads reduced to perpetual paths of war.
I support those calling for tolls to be suspended on the A18 and A20.
We deserve safety, not election promises about crumbling viaducts.