ASPI CEO in 'dangerous' panels probe

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 10 - Autostrade per l'Italia (ASPI) CEO Roberto Tomasi is under investigation in a probe into allegedly dangerous sound-absorbing panels installed on the Italian motorway system, La Repubblica and Il Secolo XIX dailies reported Friday.
    ASPI isssued a statement saying Tomasi had no competence on the soundproofing barriers but was "part of the major works committee that presented other projects".
    The committee reportedly decided to buy around 30 million panels which prosecutors say turned out to be dangerous.
    For this reason, prosecutor Walter Cotugno informed all the members of the group they were under investigation at the end of last year.
    ASPI has just been given temporary control over a new Genoa bridge replacing one that collapsed in August 2018 killing 43 people.
    But Premier Giuseppe Conte has said that ASPI, part of Benetton-controlled group Atlantia, will see all its motorway concessions stripped unless it comes up "with a new proposal ensuring the public interest" by Sunday.
    Senior government partner the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) is adamant that ASPI, and by extension the Benettons, must be ejected from the motorway management business after the August 15, 2018 Genoa bridge disaster.
    The new bridge there, designed by Genoa native and starchitect Renzo Piano, has been built in record time.
    It features 'sails' reflecting the northwestern port city's rich maritime heritage. (ANSA).