Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (FS Group) has launched a tender worth more than €1.6bn for the construction of the Santomarco Tunnel, as part of the renovation of Italy’s railway system.
The project is expected to enhance connections between Salerno and Reggio Calabria.
A winning bidder would deliver a 22km double-track line between Paola and Cosenza, including 17km of underground route through the Santomarco Tunnel.
The remaining 5km will be above ground, providing flexibility and diverse infrastructure.
In addition to the tunnel, the tender includes building a new railway station in Cosenza and essential infrastructure to support modern and safe railway operations.
The Salerno–Reggio Calabria route is divided into several phases to simplify construction.
The works on Lot 1a (Battipaglia-Romagnano) and Lot 1b/1c (Romagnano-Praia) are in progress.
Also, the construction on Lot 2 (Praia-Paola) is underway, following the planned schedule.
According to the Railway Supply report, the tunnel construction project is expected to enhance the line capacity for passenger and freight transportation.
It improves regional infrastructure, promotes economic growth and development, and represents a critical component of Italy’s modern railway system.
The construction includes modern technologies, high-quality materials, and traffic management systems to improve durability, reliability, safety, and operations.
It aims to align Italian transportation systems with broader European networks.
Once completed, the tunnel construction is expected to speed up the routes for freight and passengers and change the region’s appeal as a logistics hub and a travel destination.
