Italy in Front of the Challenge of Infrastructure Maintenance: Existing Issues and Promising Responses

Abstract

It is puzzling how the optimal maintenance of infrastructure gets so little attention in the public policy debate and in national strategic infrastructure investment plans. In the case of Italy, an information deficit, inadequate strategic planning and governance, and unpreparedness for macro changes affecting infrastructure emerge as critical root causes of neglect. Despite the increasing attention to sustainability (at national, EU and international level), it is not consistently implemented along the life cycle of infrastructure assets, which would entail adequate funding to operate and maintain existing assets. Public administration plays a critical coordination role and must tackle the excessive normative complexity and consequent lengthiness of the authorization processes. Despite some unmet challenges, several ongoing interventions show Italy’s commitment to address some of the issues. Notably, the creation of an integrated repository tracking all the country’s infrastructure projects, or the national guidelines recently issued to rank and prioritize bridge safety interventions.