New investments to improve two of the main gateways to northern Sardinia. Alghero and Porto Torres will receive a total of approximately €2.67 million to upgrade the areas that welcome thousands of passengers arriving by sea and by air every year.
The funds are part of the regional programme “The Gateways of Sardinia”, financed through the 2021–2027 Development and Cohesion Fund, with total funding of €12 million.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on 9 September by Regional Tourism Councillor Franco Cuccureddu and the mayors of the ten municipalities involved.
Alghero, €1.3 million for airport access
Exactly €1,333,333.33 has been allocated to Alghero.
The first project concerns the access route to Fertilia Airport and includes works to improve safety, lighting, urban decor and mobility.
The proposed works include protected crossings, dedicated lighting and traffic-calming measures. The area concerned stretches from the Ungias-Galanté roundabout to the roundabout on Via Don Minzoni.
However, the presence of roads managed by different bodies, including Anas and the Metropolitan City, will require coordination between the administrations before all the planned works can be carried out.
The investment comes as the airport sees growth in its range of services; in 2027 it will also have a new direct connection to Munich.
Porto Torres, works between the port and the Balai seafront
The same amount, approximately €1.33 million, has been allocated to Porto Torres.
In this case, the regional programme focuses on upgrading the port entrance and the Balai seafront, with the aim of making the relationship between the port and the city more attractive and functional.
The regional plan makes it possible to fund works on roads, pedestrian routes, parking areas, green spaces, lighting, signage and urban furnishings.
The aim is to improve not only the functionality of the access routes, but also the impression given to travellers when they arrive and depart.
The “Gateways of Sardinia” project
Alghero and Porto Torres are part of a much broader programme involving ten Sardinian municipalities and the Island’s main airport and port areas.
The funds have been distributed in a substantially uniform manner, with €1,333,333 for each of the main gateways, with the exception of Oristano and Santa Giusta, which share the same port system and receive approximately €666,000 each.
The works will be governed by specific agreements with the municipalities and, under the FSC programme, must be completed by 2030.
For north-western Sardinia, the investment is worth nearly €3 million in total and aims to improve two strategic infrastructures: access to Alghero Airport and access to the port of Porto Torres.