Messina–Catania–Palermo Railway Corridor. New Palermo–Catania Link. Section 1+2 Fiumetorto - Lercara

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 1+2 Fiumetorto - Lercara 
Lots 1 and 2 involve the detailed design and construction of a new railway line to deliver the double-tracking of the 30 km Fiumetorto–Lercara Diramazione section. In particular, the lot includes construction of the approximately 20 km Alia Tunnel, a twin-bore, single-track natural tunnel; 2.2 km of railway and road viaducts; 7.3 km of associated road infrastructure; and three stations, including one new station to be built at Valle del Torto and the modernisation of 
the Cerda and Lercara stations. 

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.