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Ex-CEO of Italian highway operator and 31 others convicted in deadly 2018 bridge collapse
By Colleen Barry, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 16, 2026
· 4 min read
An Italian court on Thursday convicted the former CEO of Italy's main highway operator and 31 others in the 2018 Genoa highway bridge collapse that sent vehicles plunging and killed 43 people, a disaster that exposed serious lapses in the maintenance of Italian infrastructure. Dozens of family me...
Key takeaway The former chief executive of highway operator Autostrade per l'Italia, Giovanni Castellucci, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, the highest in the case after four years of trial and four hours of deliberations.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
For Piney Point Village residents, the trial of the 2018 Morandi bridge collapse in Italy may seem like a distant concern, but it has significant implications for local infrastructure maintenance. The disaster, which killed 43 people, highlights the importance of regular inspections and upkeep of critical structures like bridges and highways. In Harris County, where Piney Point is located, there are numerous bridges and overpasses that require constant maintenance to ensure public safety. The outcome of the trial, which may assign blame to various parties, could inform how local authorities approach infrastructure maintenance and inspection protocols. As the trial concludes, Piney Point Village residents may want to pay attention to any changes in local infrastructure policies or procedures that could be influenced by the verdict, particularly in regards to the role of private operators and government agencies in maintaining critical infrastructure.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? An Italian court on Thursday convicted the former CEO of Italy's main highway operator and 31 others in the 2018 Genoa highway bridge collapse that sent vehicles plunging and killed 43 people, a disaster that exposed serious lapses in the maintenance of Italian infrastructure. Dozens of family me...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Colleen Barry, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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