Italy: Regional trains return between Tortona and Novi Ligure

Rome: A section of the Terzo Valico dei Giovi/Genoa Junction One Project has been inaugurated, enabling the return of regional trains between Tortona and Novi Ligure.

The new tracks form the final, northbound section of a future high-speed line built by the General Contractor, led by the Webuild Group on behalf of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana.

Italian Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Edoardo Rixi, said: “The Government has secured all the necessary funds to complete the work within the timeframe set by the PNRR. This deadline commits all parties involved, from the Commissioner to the companies, to meet the timetable to build Europe’s largest railroad project. Excavations are well underway and technical solutions have been outlined. We must continue to work in this direction.”
The Terzo Valico dei Giovi/Genoa Junction One Project has been developed to allow trains to travel at a speed of 250km per hour throughout both Genoa and Alessandria, toward Milan.

Public service along the line will begin on 15 January, with six Trenord regional trains running between Tortona and Novi Ligure and vice versa. Trains will stop in Pozzolo Fomrigaro, a recently refurbished station, and journies between Novi and Arquata will include a stop in Serravalle Scrivia.

Freight traffic will also see improvements with the new Rivalta Scrivia site and Station Master Plan, the junction at the Terzo Valico, at Tortona, and the Alessandria-Piacenza route which will allow freight convoys to stop at the new Rivalta Scrivia site.

Improvements in Rivalta Scrivia will allow for more, larger trains to stop at the yard thanks to 4 new 750-metre long tracks, as well as double access to the RTE & Logistic Hub Junctions. Work was carried out in different phases in order to minimise any disruptions within the yard, with further site upgrades planned for the remainder of 2024 including new shelters, underpasses and sidewalks.