EUR 1.6B Paola-Cosenza HSR: Webuild’s Italian Rail Project

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Introduction

Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (Gruppo FS) has awarded Webuild a EUR 1.6 billion contract for the construction of the Paola–Cosenza rail section, including the Santomarco tunnel, on the Salerno-Reggio Calabria high-speed rail (HSR) line. The project, expected to conclude by 2032, will significantly enhance the railway connection between Calabria’s Tyrrhenian coast and its inland areas.

Project Scope and Consortium

The consortium, led by Webuild, includes Ghella, Impresa Pizzarotti & C., and Seli Overseas, a Webuild subsidiary specializing in tunnelling. Webuild is responsible for executing the works.

Infrastructure Details

The project encompasses the construction of a new 22-kilometre double-track line designed for high-speed, high-capacity rail operations. Approximately 17 kilometers of the route will be underground, utilizing tunnels, with the remaining 5 kilometers on the surface. The central component is the new Santomarco tunnel, which will extend over 15 kilometers.

Tunnel and Bridge Construction

The Santomarco tunnel is a strategic element of the project. It will be situated approximately 100 meters from the existing single-track tunnel, which will be decommissioned upon completion. Four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be employed for the excavation of the double-tube, single-track tunnel. The project also includes the construction of nine railway bridges and two viaducts. One viaduct, 350 meters long, will cross the A2 motorway, while the second, measuring 205 meters, will span the Settimo stream. A new station will be built in Montalto Uffugo to serve the surrounding area and the university campus in Rende.

Route and Strategic Impact

The railway will traverse the Province of Cosenza, passing through the municipalities of Paola, San Lucido, Rende, Montalto Uffugo, San Vincenzo la Costa, and San Fili. This infrastructure upgrade aims to improve access to Cosenza and bolster the Bari–Taranto–Gioia Tauro freight corridor. The Paola–Cosenza section is a key milestone in the completion of the new Salerno-Reggio Calabria HSR and supports the economic and social development of Southern Italy as part of the Scandinavian–Mediterranean corridor of the TEN-T Network.

Conclusion

The Paola–Cosenza section of the Salerno-Reggio Calabria HSR, with a EUR 1.6 billion investment, will be completed by 2032. The project involves constructing a 22-kilometer double-track line, including the 15-kilometer Santomarco tunnel, and is expected to improve railway capacity and efficiency. Webuild is already constructing Lot 1A (Battipaglia–Romagnano) on the same line, while RFI is progressing with authorization processes for other lots.

Company Summary

Ghella: A company involved in the construction of the Paola–Cosenza rail section as part of a consortium.

Impresa Pizzarotti & C.: A company involved in the construction of the Paola–Cosenza rail section as part of a consortium.

Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (Gruppo FS): Awarded the contract for the Paola–Cosenza rail section.

Seli Overseas: A Webuild subsidiary specializing in tunnelling, part of the consortium for the Paola–Cosenza rail section.

Webuild: Leads the consortium awarded the EUR 1.6 billion contract for the Paola–Cosenza rail section and is constructing Lot 1A on the Salerno-Reggio Calabria line.

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