Messina–Catania–Palermo Railway Corridor. New Palermo–Catania Link | Lot 3 Lercara - Caltanissetta Xirbi

The new Palermo–Catania–Messina rail link is a strategic project for the development of Sicily’s infrastructure and forms part of the wider infrastructure programme under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The project is designed to upgrade and double-track the railway line, enabling more frequent train services, higher operating speeds and more efficient passenger and freight transport across the island. It will reduce journey times between Palermo and Catania to approximately two hours, compared with the current three hours, making rail transport more competitive. The Palermo–Catania–Messina line forms an integral part of the Scandinavian–
Mediterranean Corridor No. 5 of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and will enhance connectivity with the rest of Italy and Europe. The upgrading works have been divided into five functional lots, all currently under construction. The sections in which Ghella is involved are outlined below. In each lot, stations will be equipped with systems designed to improve water efficiency and support the collection and reuse of rainwater.

Section 3 Lercara - Caltanissetta Xirbi 
Lot 3 involves the detailed design and construction of 47 km of new railway line, much of which will follow a new alignment deviating from the existing route. The contract includes the construction of approximately 22 km of tunnels (including interconnections), more than 11 km of railway and road viaducts, 32 km of associated roads and the upgrading of Vallelunga station.

Benefits

1. Infrastructure development and promotion of sustainable mobility in southern Italy.
2. Reduction in rail journey times between Palermo and Catania by approximately one hour.
3. Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.