Project Profile: Genoa-Milan High-Speed/High-Capacity Railway (Terzo Valico)

The Terzo Valico dei Giovi project is a strategic high-speed, high-capacity railway line engineered to connect the Port of Genoa with Milan and the wider European rail network. This new 53 km line, a core component of the Rhine-Alpine TEN-T Corridor, overcomes the challenging Apennine mountain range through extensive tunnelling to revolutionise freight and passenger transport in Northern Italy.

Technical Specifications

The Terzo Valico line’s alignment is defined by its extensive tunnelling, required to maintain a maximum gradient of 12.5‰ suitable for heavy freight trains. The route is comprised of 37 km of tunnels, the most significant being the 27 km Galleria di Valico, making it the longest railway tunnel in Italy. Construction utilized advanced Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) alongside traditional drill-and-blast methods to navigate complex geological conditions. The infrastructure is designed as a double-track line, mostly configured as two parallel single-track tunnels connected by cross-passages every 500 metres for safety and maintenance access.

To ensure seamless interoperability with both legacy and high-speed networks, the line features a dual electrification system, supporting both 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC. This allows a wide range of rolling stock to operate across the route without interruption. The line is controlled by the European standard ERTMS/ETCS Level 2 signalling system, a state-of-the-art digital solution that provides continuous train control and supervision. This technology maximizes line capacity, enhances operational safety, and is a prerequisite for cross-border traffic along the TEN-T corridors.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic European Freight Link: The line provides a high-capacity rail link for the Port of Genoa, directly connecting it to the Rhine-Alpine Corridor, one of Europe’s busiest freight routes. This significantly enhances the competitiveness of Italian ports and logistics hubs.
• Major Modal Shift from Road to Rail: By offering a faster and more efficient alternative for freight, the project is a critical component of Italy’s strategy to reduce road congestion and transport-related CO₂ emissions, with projections indicating a 55% reduction in energy consumption for equivalent freight movements.
• Enhanced Regional Passenger Mobility: The new infrastructure will cut passenger travel time between Genoa and Milan to under one hour, fostering greater economic and social integration between the Liguria and Lombardy regions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the Terzo Valico railway fully open?
The Terzo Valico high-speed line is scheduled for full activation in March 2026. This final milestone will complete the integration of the Port of Genoa with Italy’s high-speed passenger and freight network.

Who is building the Terzo Valico project?
The primary construction is managed by the Cociv consortium, which is led by the Webuild Group. The project was commissioned by the client, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), which is Italy’s national rail infrastructure manager.