Verona-Padua Rail: 2026 Construction Update & Route Map

The Verona-Padua high-speed, high-capacity rail project represents a critical upgrade to Italy’s primary east-west transport axis. This 76.5 km line is engineered to quadruple track capacity along a key segment of the TEN-T Mediterranean Corridor, integrating advanced ERTMS Level 2 signaling to accommodate passenger and freight traffic at speeds up to 300 km/h. Its construction involves significant civil works, including major viaducts and tunnels, to resolve existing network bottlenecks between Milan and Venice.

Project Fact Sheet

Technical Specifications

The project’s engineering scope is organized into three functional lots to manage its complexity. The new double-track line predominantly parallels the historic route but includes significant realignments to increase operational speed and safety. Civil engineering works are substantial, featuring the construction of numerous viaducts—such as the completed structure over the Guà River—and artificial tunnels to navigate the region’s topography and minimize environmental impact. A primary technical objective is quadrupling the line’s capacity, which is achieved by adding the new high-speed tracks while retaining the existing line for regional and conventional services.

A core technological component is the implementation of Hitachi Rail’s European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Level 2. This digital, cab-based signaling system eliminates the need for lineside signals, allowing for higher train frequencies and enhanced safety through continuous speed supervision and automatic train protection (ATP). The system is integral to achieving the line’s high-capacity and interoperability goals within the wider TEN-T network.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic TEN-T Corridor Integration: The line is a critical link in the Mediterranean Corridor, directly improving rail interoperability and efficiency for freight and passenger transport between Southern and Eastern Europe.
• Economic and Environmental Impact: The project is a major economic driver, creating an estimated 4,000 jobs and enabling a significant modal shift from road to rail, projected to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 300,000 tonnes annually.
• Capacity and Performance Enhancement: By quadrupling track capacity and implementing ERTMS signaling, the project directly addresses chronic bottlenecks on the Milan-Venice route, drastically reducing journey times and increasing network reliability.

FAQ

When will the Verona-Padua high-speed line open?

The Verona-Padua high-speed rail line is scheduled for completion and to become fully operational by December 2026. Construction has been phased across three lots, with major progress already achieved on the first two sections.

Who is building the Verona-Padua high-speed line?

The construction of the Verona-Padua high-speed line is being managed by a consortium of leading infrastructure companies. The Webuild Group is responsible for major civil engineering works, Hitachi Rail is supplying the advanced ERTMS digital signaling system, and Salcef is handling trackwork and related construction.