Railway Technology

Italy takes a lead role in Europe's high speed railway revolution

Bridge over Po River

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Italy's plan to build a 300km/h network is well under way and Balfour Beatty Rail is playing a major part.

Like the United Kingdom, Italy is desperate for a high speed rail network that can link its regional centres and provide a realistic alternative to its creaking highway system.

Unlike the United Kingdom, Italy is well into its programme of work that will eventually see most of its major cities connected in a east–west, north–south, high speed cross.

Part of the European Master Plan proposed by the European Union in the mid-1980's which aims to see a network of new high speed rail lines with an operating speed of up to 300 km/h, heavier axle weights and larger trains, the Italian High Speed Plan is broken down into four sections.

Turin – Milan, Milan – Bologna, Bologna – Florence, Rome – Naples.

Between Turin and Milan in the north west of the country some 125 Km of line is being built, the first segment from Turin to Novara has been in operation since February 2006 and the Novara to Milan section is currently under construction and due to be operational in April 2009.

Almost 200 Km separates Milan and Bologna and the high speed line connecting the two is due to be completed by September 2008.

A further 80 Km between Bologna and Florence is under construction and due to be competed by June 2009 while the 200 Km Rome to Naples section has been in operation since December 2005.

Other sections linking Milan to Verona and Verona to Padova are currently under design.

The common feature that links four of these sections is Balfour Beatty Rail. Part of the Saturno Consortium which features partners Alstom, Ansaldo Sts and Sirti; Balfour Beatty Rail will supply the high voltage transmission line, overhead contact line, substations, low voltage power supply and remote control systems along the length of the project.

Comments:

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