Webuild Wins Rome Metro Contract: €776M Boost for Line C

Italian infrastructure giant Webuild has secured a landmark EUR 776 million contract to construct the T1 section of Rome’s Metro Line C, a critical extension that will push the ambitious project further into the city’s northern districts. The project, executed by the Webuild-led Metro C Consortium, marks a significant step in modernizing the capital’s public transport network amid immense archaeological and engineering challenges.

The Italian group Webuild, in a consortium with Vianini Lavori, has officially been awarded the contract to construct the T1 section of Rome’s metro line C. The total value of the project is EUR 776 million, with Webuild’s share accounting for EUR 268 million. This new section will establish a vital link between the Clodio/Mazzini and Farnesina stations, significantly enhancing public transport capacity in a densely populated northern quadrant of the Italian capital and addressing high demand for urban mobility.

The engineering scope for Section T1 is profoundly complex, building on lessons learned from previous phases. The award is strategically integrated with the upcoming Section T2, which is currently in the executive design phase. This integrated approach allows the consortium to ensure the continuity of mechanized excavations, likely utilizing advanced Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) designed for sensitive urban environments. By awarding both sections to the same entity, authorities aim to de-risk the project’s most formidable technical challenge: the first-ever underground metro crossing of the Tiber River, which falls under the T2 section. This strategy avoids fragmentation and streamlines the complex logistics of tunneling from Farnesina towards the historic Piazza Venezia.

This contract win follows the successful delivery of some of the line’s most challenging segments. The recent opening of the Colosseo/Fori Imperiali and Porta Metronia stations, dubbed “archaeological stations,” demonstrated the consortium’s ability to navigate Rome’s priceless subterranean heritage. That phase involved managing over 625,000 cubic meters of archaeological excavations, turning construction sites into active centers for cultural preservation. Once fully completed, Line C will span 29 km with 31 stations, connecting the eastern terminus of Monte Compatri/Pantano to Farnesina in the north, fundamentally reshaping Rome’s public transport landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Major Contract Award: Webuild and its partner have secured a EUR 776 million contract to build the T1 section of Rome’s Metro Line C, extending the network north to Farnesina.
• Strategic Engineering: The project is designed for seamless integration with the future T2 section to ensure continuous TBM operation and prepare for the technically demanding Tiber River crossing.
• Proven Expertise: The award builds on the consortium’s successful completion of the “archaeological stations,” reinforcing its world-class expertise in managing complex infrastructure projects in historically sensitive locations.

Editor’s Analysis

The award of the Line C, Section T1 contract to the Webuild consortium is more than just a domestic infrastructure win; it solidifies a global benchmark for urban metro construction in archaeologically priceless cities. The Rome Metro C project has become a live case study in balancing modernization with heritage preservation. Webuild’s ability to successfully navigate these challenges provides it with an unparalleled competitive advantage, positioning the company as a leading contender for similarly complex projects in historic cities across the globe. This project showcases that with meticulous planning and advanced engineering, critical public transit can be integrated into even the most delicate urban fabrics, a lesson that will resonate with city planners and governments worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total value of the Section T1 contract?

The total contract is valued at EUR 776 million. The Metro C Consortium, led by Webuild with Vianini Lavori, will carry out the work, with Webuild’s direct share amounting to EUR 268 million.

Which new stations will Section T1 of Line C connect?

Section T1 will extend the line to connect the Clodio/Mazzini and Farnesina stations, located in the northern part of Rome.

What makes the Rome Metro Line C project so challenging?

The project faces extreme complexity due to the necessity of tunneling beneath Rome’s historic center, which is layered with invaluable archaeological remains. This requires highly specialized excavation techniques and a unique integration of construction and cultural heritage management, as seen with the recently opened “archaeological stations.”