The second phase of a project to improve the performance of and safety levels on the railways serving the area to the north of the city of Bari, capital of the region of Apulia in southern Italy, is underway. The upgrades have been made possible by EU funding over both the first and second phases of the project. A total of 17 km of railway is to be reconstructed under phase two, with work expected to be complete by June 2022.
- 17 October 2019
This stage of the project includes constructing a railway interchange node at Bari-Lamasinata and reorganising the railway station at Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport. A park-and-ride service at the station in Enziteto will also be created.
Intermodal links between road and rail transport will be strengthened in the municipalities of Bitonto, Terlizzi, Ruvo, Corato, Andria and Barletta by improving road connections with railway stations.
Investment in infrastructure, services, technology and rolling stock
The project as a whole comprises investment in infrastructure, services, technology and rolling stock. It is aimed at better integrating the railways with different means of transport at various points along the rail corridors at both regional and metropolitan levels.
Another element of the upgrades is the activation of a new metropolitan railway line between Bari city centre and the San Paolo district, and the construction of a rail connection between the city centre and Karol Wojtyła Airport.
The total budget for the project over both phases amounts to EUR 180 million. Around EUR 145.5 million is to be spent on the second phase, of which about EUR 73 million is provided through the EU’s European Regional Development Fund.
Strengthening existing routes and improving accessibility
By converting existing routes from single- into double-track lines, installing relevant maintenance technology and creating new stops along the line, the project will significantly improve the standard of rail services in the area. It will also improve safety and accessibility around the city of Andria, approximately 50 km north-west of Bari, close to where a head-on train collision on 12 July 2016 left 23 people dead and 54 injured.
The network covered by the project is managed by the private railway company Ferrotramviaria and is known as Ferrovie del Nord Barese (Northern Bari region railways). It runs from Bari Central Station to Barletta; an additional aspect of the work involves improving connections with the Italian state railways at Barletta. A section of the Ferrovie del Nord Barese track within the urban area of Bari is shared with the city’s metropolitan commuter rail service, which operates connections between the city centre, San Paolo and the airport.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Upgrade of the railway Nord Barese – II. phase” is EUR 145 522 693, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 72 761 346 through the “Puglia” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period.