Corsican official Jean-Félix Acquaviva challenges a report claiming 51% of roads are in poor condition, arguing it misrepresents progress and ignores recent improvements.
Corsican official disputes audit findings
Jean-Félix Acquaviva, a transport official in Corsica, criticized a recent report by the Regional Audit Chamber that claimed 51% of the island’s roads are in poor or very poor condition. While he did not challenge the data itself, he argued that the report misrepresents the current state of infrastructure and overlooks recent improvements made since the formation of the unified Corsican community.Report based on community data
Acquaviva explained that the audit used data collected by the Corsican Community’s own services, which had conducted a survey of about 15,000 structures across the region. This number was previously estimated at only 5,000, and he criticized the report for not properly recognizing this updated approach or the planning efforts that followed.Report repeats existing actions
He also challenged the audit for presenting recommendations as if they were new, when in fact many had already been proposed, approved, or implemented before the audit took place. While he admitted that the road network requires significant investment, he rejected the idea that the Corsican community’s road policy has failed.Recent infrastructure issues in Corsica
Recent weather events in Upper Corsica, including the collapse of the Chisà bridge, have underscored the challenges facing the region’s infrastructure. The bridge was recently reopened after efforts by local road services and companies. Other areas, such as Ghisonaccia and Prunelli-di-Fium’Orbo, are under close watch due to concerns about landslides and deteriorating conditions.Investment plan for road maintenance
To address these issues, the Corsican Community has launched a multi-year investment plan (PPI) from 2026 to 2030, allocating between 50 and 55 million euros annually for road maintenance. Acquaviva also introduced the Multi-Year Maintenance Plan, a practical implementation of the PPI designed to organize and schedule road maintenance based on the condition of infrastructure.Balancing needs with limited funds
Acquaviva acknowledged that while the community would like to invest more, it must manage significant needs with limited resources. Projects like the Ajaccio bypass and the elevation of the Tragona roundabout in Mezzana and Biguglia are planned, though environmental and regulatory procedures may lead to delays.
