Webuild has officially started work on the Salerno-Reggio Calabria High-Speed Rail Line with the activation of its largest-ever tunnel boring machine (TBM), “Partenope.” The TBM is set to excavate the 3-kilometre Saginara Tunnel, a key component of the high-speed rail project connecting Italy’s south.
At a length of 130 meters and weighing approximately 4,000 tonnes, “Partenope” is the largest TBM ever deployed by Webuild in Italy and Europe. Equipped with a cutting head measuring 13.46 meters in diameter and powered by 18 electric motors, the TBM has the capacity to operate around the clock, seven days a week. Over 100 specialized technicians will oversee its operation and maintenance.
The excavation will take place in the Sele Valley, spanning the municipalities of Campagna and Contursi Terme in the province of Salerno. This single-bore, double-track tunnel is part of Lot 1A Battipaglia–Romagnano, one of four sections being worked on as part of the broader Salerno–Reggio Calabria high-speed rail line.
Salerno-Reggio Calabria: Significant progress on Lot 1A
The Salerno–Reggio Calabria rail line is a major infrastructure project designed to improve mobility across Italy. Four TBMs will be used to excavate eight tunnels along Lot 1A, with two additional TBMs in assembly, each featuring cutting heads over 13 meters in diameter. These machines will excavate tunnels for the Serra Lunga, Acerra, Petrolla, Caterina, and Sicignano sections. A fourth TBM, refurbished at Webuild’s Terni facility, will be used for the Piano Grassi and Contursi tunnels.
Webuild’s fleet of tunnel boring machines plays a central role in the company’s ongoing projects. With 30 TBMs dedicated to Southern Italy, Webuild supports 19 infrastructure projects, including the construction of over 300 kilometres of high-speed rail. These efforts have already created over 8,100 jobs and involved 5,400 companies in the supply chain.
Lot 1A is a key section of the broader Salerno–Reggio Calabria rail project, which is vital for Italy’s sustainable mobility and regional development. The project, which includes 20 tunnels and 19 viaducts, will strengthen Italy’s high-speed rail network, improving connections between the North and South of the country. Additionally, it will facilitate integration with European rail systems, contributing to the nation’s competitiveness on the global stage.
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