Italy’s Naples-Bari HSR: Webuild’s Rocchetta Tunnel & RFI Impact

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Introduction

Webuild has achieved a significant milestone on the Apice–Hirpinia section of the Naples–Bari high-speed/high-capacity railway, completing over four kilometers of excavation on the Rocchetta Tunnel. This project is part of a larger upgrade to southern Italy’s rail infrastructure for Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI).

Main Content

Rocchetta Tunnel Excavation

Webuild has excavated over four kilometers of the Rocchetta Tunnel, the longest underground element of the 18.7 km Apice–Hirpinia section. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) “Futura,” with a cutterhead over 12 meters in diameter, has reached 62% completion of the planned 6.4 km tunnel.

Apice–Hirpinia Section Overview

The Apice–Hirpinia section includes 13 km of tunnels spanning the provinces of Avellino and Benevento. The project is a component of a larger infrastructure upgrade in southern Italy.

Hirpinia Station Development

Civil works are complete on the new Hirpinia station, which features two levels and four tracks: two central and two lateral. The station will be served by a new access road system with four roundabouts, eight connecting roadways, and a dedicated parking area. Construction of the access road began in recent weeks. The station will serve as a strategic interchange for the inland areas of Avellino and Benevento.

Webuild’s Southern Italy Projects

Webuild is involved in several large contracts across southern Italy with a combined value of approximately €15 billion. These projects, as of 30 June 2025, involve around 8,700 workers and a supply chain of more than 7,600 companies. The Naples–Bari railway is part of the Scandinavian–Mediterranean Corridor of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).

Future Project Phases

Webuild is preparing for the next phase of the Apice–Hirpinia section, including launching reinforced concrete beams for the Ufita–Apice viaduct, which will connect the Rocchetta Tunnel with the future Apice station in Benevento. The company has established an Advanced Training Centre in Apice and a dedicated training lab in Bovino to support the project. These facilities include a TBM simulator.

Conclusion

Upon completion, the 145 km Naples–Bari line will include 15 tunnels, 25 viaducts, and 20 stations and stops. Travel times will be reduced to 2 hours between Naples and Bari (currently 4 hours), 3 hours between Rome and Bari, and 4 hours between Lecce/Taranto and Rome.

Company Summary

Webuild: The company is involved in the construction of the Apice–Hirpinia section of the Naples–Bari high-speed/high-capacity railway, among other projects in southern Italy.

Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI): RFI is the entity for which the Apice–Hirpinia section is being delivered.

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