At the stroke of midnight, Strada dei Parchi (SdP) officially resumed management of the A24 and A25 highways after about 18 months of provisional management by Anas. As is well known, the DL Anticipi – a measure approved by Parliament in recent days – settled a long dispute with the state, initiated by the Toto Group concessionaire following the unfair revocation order of July 2022. Expropriation of the highway concession, moreover one of the few obtained through public tender, wanted by the then government on the basis of assumptions that turned out to be completely unfounded. These include incomplete ministerial reports and assessments whose erroneousness has been ascertained by the current government, sanctioned by Parliament without opposition, and investigations launched by some Public Prosecutors’ Offices for alleged failures in the maintenance of highway infrastructure. Allegations radically refuted by two limpid sentences of the Courts of L’Aquila and Teramo, which acquitted with full formula the top management of SdP “because the fact does not exist.”
Because of this unprecedented act, over the past year and a half the entire Toto Group has faced, and overcome, a very complicated management situation never before recorded in its more than 60-year history. In this context, SdP was in fact forced to resort to the procedure of arrangement with creditors, a phase that, thanks in part to the reinstatement of the concession, was successfully resolved.
“The first thanks goes to all the Group’s employees and collaborators. It is mainly thanks to their professionalism, sacrifices and daily commitment that we have managed to endure and move forward. A fundamental contribution also came from the Group’s stakeholders who understood the difficulties of the moment and had patience and confidence that everything would be resolved positively, as always maintained, during these long months. Finally, a thank you to the institutions. To the government, to Parliament, especially to the local parliamentarians, for honestly acknowledging and remedying the previous mistake. To the local Institutions, first and foremost the Abruzzo Region, who were able to well represent, alongside the need to have a well-managed and safe infrastructure, the potential risks to the local economy arising from the continuation of a critical situation for a Group that employs more than 1,700 people in the territory. Justice has been done. The company’s honor, capabilities and seriousness have finally been recognized to us. We resume our service to the territory with more vigor than before.” – Mauro Fabris, vice president of Strada dei Parchi, comments.
Strada dei Parchi, in agreement with the grantor, has drawn up a new plan for highway management focused on maximum attention to the user: no toll increases until the expiration of the concession in 2032 and a substantial increase in the annual funds provided for routine maintenance work, more than 40 million, to affect even more the safety of a mountain artery that passes through highly seismic territory.
Strada dei Parchi also reiterates that it has already initiated contacts, which will soon be formalized, with local mayors in order to define together the needs and priorities, of users and the territory, renewing the usual commitments: safety, respect for the environment and support for the economic growth of the territory, promoting employment and development.
Finally, Strada dei Parchi informs that it has already activated the snow plan in view of the weather forecast for the coming weeks.
