New Naples - Bari HS/HC line

The new east-west cross-country HS/HC railway line connecting Naples, Benevento, Foggia and Bari is part of the strategic European TEN-T Scandinavian-Mediterranean Core Corridor. The project features a total investment of about 6 billion euros and is divided into 7 construction lots, for a total length of about 145 km, financed primarily with funds from the EU National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPPR) and the National Operational Programme (NOP). As of August 2022, all the lots are under way and on schedule.

Italferr was tasked with developing both the preliminary and final designs and is currently supervising the construction work.

The new line will significantly improve both passenger and freight services, with maximum travel speeds of 250 km/h and cutting travel times between Naples and Bari to just two hours (compared to the current four hours), and between Rome and Bari to three hours (about two hours less than it takes today).

On 9 April 2025, an important milestone was reached with the completion of the tunnelling work on the “Telese” cut-and-cover tunnel (part of the Frasso Telesino – Telese Lot) and the “Reventa” tunnel (part of the Telese – S. Lorenzo – Vitulano Lots).

Frasso Telesino – Telese Lot

The contract for the Frasso Telesino – Telese ot was awarded, in 2019, to the Frasso Scarl Consortium, set up by Pizzarotti, Ghella, Itinera, Salcef and EdS Infrastrutture. The total length of this section is 11.2 km, of which approximately 5 km will run alongside the existing line and the remaining 6 km along an alternative route. The project includes the construction of the new Amorosi stop and the expansion of the station of Telese, as well as the 765-metre long viaduct spanning the river Calore, with 25 spans, including a single 65-metre long span. The purpose of the “Telese” cut-and-cover tunnel is to relocate the railway line away from the town centre to avoid impacting the community. The tunnel is 2.9 km long and was excavated from 4 fronts simultaneously.

The completion of the excavation of the Telese Tunnel and subsequent construction of the 65-metre single span over the river Calore, has removed all the major natural obstacles along the Frasso Telesino – Telese section, making it possible to decisively boost the construction work on the permanent way and the railway superstructure, with a view to completing the project in line with the NRRP objectives.

Telese - S. Lorenzo - Vitulano Lots

The contract for the Telese - S. Lorenzo - Vitulano lots was awarded, in 2020, to the Telese Scarl Consortium, set up by Ghella, Itinera, Salcef and Coget Impianti. The lots feature a total length of 19 km and connect with the Vitulano – Benevento section that has already been doubled and is currently in operation. For about 1.5 km, the tracks run alongside the existing line, while the other stretches run mainly along an alternative route and include the construction of 14 viaducts and 7 tunnels. To date, in line with the NRRP objectives, the elevated structures of the main viaducts have been completed, and 18 excavation fronts are active for the construction of the 7 tunnels, of which the first to be completed is the 215-metre-long “Reventa” tunnel.

These results have been achieved thanks to the dedication and skills of the great Italferr team, which is committed to making the best possible contribution to the success of this strategically important project.