(by Rocco Fattori Giuliano) The excavation of the artificial tunnel in San Martino Buon Albergo has been completed, marking a key milestone in the AV/AC Verona-Bivio Vicenza railway project. This step is crucial for the first functional section of the Verona-Padua high-speed railway, which has now reached 60% completion.
The ceremony marking the breakthrough of the tunnel was attended by Elisa De Berti, Vice President and Regional Councillor for Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transport of Veneto, Luigi De Amicis, AV/AC Project Director of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, and Giulio Furlani, Mayor of San Martino Buon Albergo, alongside Marco Rettighieri, President of the Iricav Due Consortium, responsible for the project.
A Strategic Infrastructure for European Transport
This new railway line is funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and is part of the Core Mediterranean Corridor, connecting Iberian Peninsula ports to the Ukrainian border through France, Northern Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. The project aims to enhance trans-European transport, promoting more efficient and sustainable mobility. The San Martino Buon Albergo artificial tunnel extends for about 2 kilometers, with a width of over 10 meters and an internal height of 7 meters. The construction employed the “Top Down” method, which minimizes surface impact while ensuring greater stability and safety.
Progress and Future Developments
The Verona-Padua AV/AC line is a key driver for national development, being built in functional sections. The first segment, currently under construction, spans 44.2 kilometers from Verona to Bivio Vicenza. The second phase will cover the Vicenza crossing, while the third, still in the design phase, will connect Vicenza to Padua. Approximately 4,000 workers and 450 companies are involved in the project. Once completed, it will improve sustainable mobility and enhance railway services, finalizing the high-speed link between Milan and Venice. The project is expected to be completed by 2026, with a total investment of around €3.2 billion.
Transparency and Community Engagement
The AV/AC Verona-Bivio Vicenza project is part of the “Cantieri Parlanti” initiative by the FS Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, under the supervision of Government Commissioner Vincenzo Macello. This initiative aims to improve public understanding of major infrastructure projects through clear and accessible communication.
FS Group construction sites feature informative panels visible to citizens and passersby, while a dedicated page on fsitaliane.it provides continuous updates. The program also includes public engagement activities, involving residents, students, and associations in discussions about the urban transformations brought by the project.
