High-Speed Salerno-Reggio Calabria
The maxi Tunnel Boring Machine 'Partenope' in action
On February 21st 2025, the maxi Tunnel Boring Machine 'Partenope', one of the largest ever used in Europe, was launched for the excavation of the 'Saginara Tunnel' on Lot 1A Battipaglia-Romagnano of the new High-Speed/High-Capacity Salerno – Reggio Calabria line.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the Municipality of Campagna (SA) and saw the participation, via video link, of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure, Matteo Salvini, along with local institutions, representatives of the Italian State Railways, and major companies.
At the forefront is Italferr, the engineering company of the FS Group, engaged in the design and construction management of the project.
With a total weight of 1,840 tons, a length of 120 meters, a drilling diameter of 13.36 meters, and a power of over 6,300 kW, the new TMB Partenope will work 24/7.
Its implementation involved a series of specific activities, such as the creation of a dedicated yard where the machine was assembled, and the construction of a road bypass to allow the exceptional transport to 'shorten' the route to the reference area by crossing the A2 Mediterranean motorway near the Campagna junction.
On the 1A Battipaglia-Romagnano section, with a total length of 35 km, there will be four operational tunnel boring machines for the construction of the eight mechanized tunnels, which are expected to start by the first half of 2025.
The construction site includes various types of open-air works, such as elevated viaducts and trenches, and underground works such as artificial and natural tunnels, both mechanized and traditional excavation. To reduce construction times, several parallel activities have been planned, which to date have seen the completion of most of the preparatory works and almost all the entrance works.
Another important step for Italferr towards the realization of the new HS/HC Salerno-Reggio Calabria line, an integral part of the TEN-T Scandinavian-Mediterranean European railway corridor, which today represents the continuity of a strategic route for the connection between North and South.
