New step forward for the construction of the line High Speed/High Capacity Salerno-Reggio Calabria, a strategic infrastructure of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean European Corridor intended to strengthen rail connections between Southern Italy and the rest of the country. Excavation of the Lot 1A Battipaglia-Romagnano has been completed Serra Lunga natural gallery by the Leucosia Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), one of the largest mechanized tunnel boring machines currently operating in Europe. Simultaneously, the Mireille TBM began excavating the Sicignano tunnel.
A double advancement which confirms the progress of the works for the new railway line, built by Italian Railway Network (FS Group).
The works were entrusted by RFI, the client of the project, to Xenia Consortium, consisting of Webuild, Fs Rail Construction, Ghella e Tunnel Pro, under the direction of Fs Engineering, for a total investment of approximately 2,9 billion euros.
The Serra Lunga tunnel has been completed. Construction is progressing on several fronts.
At approximately 800 meters in length, Serra Lunga is the second natural tunnel completed on Lot 1A, after the Caterina Tunnel. During excavation, the Leucosia TBM also created the tunnel's final lining, installing over 2.900 precast segments.
The Mireille cutter is now engaged in the excavation of the Sicignano tunnel, over 2,5 kilometers long, which runs between the municipalities of Buccino and Sicignano degli Alburni.
Activities on Lot 1A are proceeding simultaneously on several fronts. Excavations are underway on Saginara and Piano Grasso tunnels, while work on the Cerreta natural tunnel and the first artificial tunnels continues. Construction of the viaducts, which will accompany the development of the route and allow for the subsequent movement of the TBMs, also continues.
Overall, on Lot 1A the works are underway for the construction of approximately 35 kilometers of new railway line, which include 20 tunnels and 19 viaducts.
The new Salerno-Reggio Calabria high-speed/high-capacity line
The progress of the excavations contributes to giving shape to the new AV/AC Salerno-Reggio Calabria connection, an integral part of the Ten-T Scandinavian-Mediterranean European Rail Corridor.
The new infrastructure is intended to improve accessibility and rail connections in areas such as Cilento, Vallo di Diano, the Ionian coast, the upper and lower Cosenza area and the Reggio Calabria area, strengthening the connection between the South and the rest of Italy.
The line, financed in part with funds Pnrr, constitutes the continuation of a strategic route for railway connections between North and South. The work will allow reduce significantly the times travel between Rome and Reggio Calabria, increase the offer High-speed services and improve the regularity, reliability, and quality of connections. Benefits are also expected for freight transport, thanks to the strengthening of rail connections to and from the port of Gioia Tauro, a strategic hub for national and international logistics.
