Lunghezza–Guidonia line doubling project: new zoning plan implemented at Bagni di Tivoli

The completion of the first functional phase of the Lunghezza–Guidonia railway line doubling project is now under way. The upgrading of the Lunghezza-Guidonia line is part of the broader strategic project for the improvement of the main Rome–Pescara line.

The completion work involved:

• the new electrification system for both tracks;
• the new zoning plan for the Bagni di Tivoli station;
• the new overhead line at Lunghezza, required as a result of the transformation of the Lunghezza Aniene signal box into a communication point, with the related alterations to the Itinerary-based Central Electronic Interlocking (ACEI) system at Lunghezza and to the following systems: Itinerary-based Central Electronic Interlocking (ACEI) system, Train Movement Control System (SCMT), Command and Control/Centralised Traffic Control (SCC/CTC) system and the Operational Electric Traction Management (DOTE) system.

The infrastructure is approximately 5 km, from the 15+614 (near the Lunghezza signal box) to the 20+787 kilometre points, and is divided into two main functional elements:

1. The track doubling component (from 15+614 to 19+224 kilometre points)
Featuring the construction of the new track foundation and permanent way, including the integration of the electric traction systems, a medium/low voltage (MV/LV) transformer substation for powering the station services and a passive electric traction (ET) substation for harmonising the new and upgraded traffic flows on the section concerned by the track-doubling project, at Bagni di Tivoli station.

Furthermore, the DOTE system was upgraded with remote control from Roma Prenestina, to ensure remote monitoring of the new substations and management schemes for the new electrification plans for the modified so-called “service points”, Lunghezza Aniene – Bagni di Tivoli – Guidonia Montecelio control points.

2. The new zoning plan for the Bagni di Tivoli station (from 19+224 to 20+787 kilometre points)
The station layout has been reorganised, consistently with the track doubling project, as follows:

• upgrading of the platforms and construction of the relevant canopies;
• construction of a new pedestrian underpass, complete with technological systems;
• renovation of the facades of the passenger building and the TLC/ET buildings;
• construction of lifts and passenger announcement systems with RFI system interface management;
• upgrading and installation of technological equipment for the management of the double-point switch of the line, zoning plan of Bagni di Tivoli;
• new train spacing with reversible Axle Counting Block (BCA) and reconfiguration and implementation of the Computer-based Interlocking System (ACC) at Bagni di Tivoli, the SCMT of the two neighbouring and section service points, and adaptation of the Drive Aid/Centralised Traffic Control (SPC-CTC) system of the FL2 line.

This milestone is an important step in the overall upgrading of the railway network and the modernisation of the region's transport infrastructure.  

Speaking at the activation event, on 5 August 2025, Italferr's Engineering & Operations Director, and Special Commissioner for the Project, Vincenzo Macello, highlighted how the commissioning of the new double-track line has resulted in a significant increase in capacity, as a result of the extension of the FL2 line services from Lunghezza to Guidonia, initially terminating at Bagni di Tivoli station, with a frequency of up to 15 minutes.

Phase two of the project, slated for early 2026, will involve the commissioning of the new Guidonia Collefiorito station, while the authorisation process for the final approval of the third and last phase of the project is nearing completion. The last phase concerns the doubling of the remaining 3 km between Bagni di Tivoli and Guidonia,.