The European Investment Bank (EIB) is proposing a EUR 2.1 billion financing for Palermo-Catania line project with an approximate amount of EUR 7.6 billion.
The EIB financing will be provided both through direct lending to the Italian State and Linked Risk Sharing operations with acceptable financial institutions, aiming at counter-guaranteeing advance payment and performance bonds that financial institutions will provide to the procurement authority (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana) in reference to contractors’ obligations for the project construction contracts.
The project consists of the upgrade of 178 km section between Fiumetorto and Bicocca comprising six lots. The Lot 1+2 includes the Fiumetorto – Lercara Diramazione section (expected to become operational in 2029), the lot 3 covers the Lercara Diramazione – Caltanissetta Xirbi section for which the construction is expected to start in 2023 and scheduled to be completed in 2026, when Caltanissetta Xirbi – Nuova Enna (Lot 4A) is also expected to become operational. Lot 4 (B) also includes the Nuova Enna – Dittaino section for which Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) awarded Webuild – Impresa Pizzarotti consortium a EUR 616 million contract to modernise and build 15 km of line, 8.5 km of which will be constructed un tunnels while other 2 km will cross on five viaducts. In Enna a rail station will be built, while the existing Dittaino station will be modernised. These works will be financed by Italy’s National Plan for Recovery and Resilience (PNRR). The line also includes the Dittaino – Catenanuova section (Lot 5) which, together with the two sections of Lot 4 are expected to enter passenger services in 2026.
For the 38 km Catenanuova – Bicocca (Lot 6) the works have been started in 2019 and covers the construction of its double track, totalling EUR 415 million. In February, Webuilt announced the completion of the installation of the 62-metres Buttaceto viaduct. The project also includes the renovation of Bicocca station and the construction of Motta Sant’Anastasia station. The works on this section are scheduled to be completed in 2024.
The project is part of FS’ 2022-2031 Industrial Plan included into the Infrastructure Hub concept covering a EUR 110 billion investment in transport infrastructure, maintenance, expansion and introduction of new technologies.
When completed, the railway line will reduce travel time by one hour, from currently 3 hours to 2 hours.
Italy is upgrading the Palermo – Catania – Messina connection to allow trains to run at 200 km/h on the 227 km railway line. EUR 9.3 billion is the total value of the project.
The Palermo-Catania line, part of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean TEN-T Corridor, is one of the projects planned to improve mobility in Sicily. The project will promote travel by rail, enhancing sustainable transport and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
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