The second phase of a two-phase project to convert the section of railway between the stations of Fiumetorto and Ogliastrillo on the Italian island of Sicily from a single-track to a double-track line has been launched with support from EU funding. Work under this phase is scheduled for completion in December 2019.
- 01 June 2018
Forming part of the rail connection between the Sicilian capital, Palermo and the island’s third largest city, Messina, the Fiumetorto-Ogliastrillo railway has a total length of 19.7 km, of which 4 km are within a new tunnel.
Phase two of the project covers the completion of the doubling of the two sections of track between Fiumetorto and Lascari, and between Lascari and Ogliastrillo.
Part of a wider railway investment plan
Much of the work planned under the project was completed during the first phase. Together, the two phases have a budget of in excess of EUR 1.6 billion. Of this, phase two accounts for approximately EUR 141 million. More than EUR 105 million of the second phase budget is supplied by the EU.
This project is part of a wider investment plan that includes the conversion to double track of several sections of the Palermo to Messina railway and is a key component of rail transport planning at both regional and national levels. Furthermore, the Palermo-Messina line forms part of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean corridor of the Trans-European Transport Network. Stretching from Finland and Sweden in the north, through Denmark, Germany and Italy, to Malta in the south, the corridor is crucial for Europe’s economy and, by upgrading part of it, the project supports the development of a multimodal single European transport area.
Increasing the capacity of the line
Conversion of the Fiumetorto to Ogliastrillo section from a single- to a double-track line will increase the capacity of the railway and put in place the necessary conditions for more frequent and faster services, helping to reduce journey times between Palermo and Messina. It will also contribute to improving both reliability and safety levels on the line.
Strengthened transport links have a vital role to play in enhancing territorial cohesion in the south of Italy and attracting investment into Sicily, thereby creating jobs and supporting the economic development of the region as a whole. In addition, by increasing the competitiveness of the railways, which are an environmentally friendly form of transport, the project promotes sustainable transport, taking passengers and freight away from the roads and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and resulting atmospheric pollution.
The Palermo-Messina railway is 224 km long and was originally built during the late 19th century. Fiumetorto station serves the industrial area of the town of Termini Imerese, which is situated within the metropolitan city of Palermo, while Ogliastrillo is located close to the city of Cefalù.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Radoppio Palermo – Messina: Tratta Fiumetorto - Ogliastrillo - II. phase” is EUR 140 655 736, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 105 491 802 through the “Infrastructures and Networks” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period.