Work on the Naples–Bari high-speed rail line continues at a steady pace, and the completion of the Rocchetta Tunnel excavation marks an important milestone in the rail project that will transform connections between southern Italy and major European transport corridors.

The Rocchetta Tunnel, part of the Apice–Hirpinia section, was fully excavated by Webuild, becoming the longest tunnel built on this section of the future high-speed, high-capacity Naples–Bari line. Approximately 6.5 km long, the tunnel runs through the southern Apennines and is the second tunnel completed on this section, following Grottaminarda.

The excavation was carried out using the “Futura” TBM, a state-of-the-art machine used for complex drilling operations. The machine operated continuously for approximately one and a half years, day and night, under the supervision of a team of over 140 specialists. The equipment features 18 motors with a total power of 6.3 MW and a cutting head with a diameter of over 12 meters, adapted to the difficult geological conditions encountered along the route.

During the works, the TBM advanced through the mountain massif at an average rate of approximately 16 meters per day, and at certain stages the excavation rate exceeded 29 meters daily. In parallel, over 32,500 prefabricated concrete segments were installed, forming the final support structure of the Rocchetta Tunnel.

The completion of this tunnel represents an important step for one of the largest ongoing railway investments in southern Italy.

The Apice–Hirpinia section, where the Rocchetta Tunnel is located, will have a total length of 18.7 km and will traverse the provinces of Avellino and Benevento. Nearly 13 km of the route will be built in a tunnel, in an area known for its geological and geomorphological complexity, making the project one of the most challenging railway infrastructure projects in Italy.

Approximately 700 employees, including subcontractors, are involved in the execution of this contract, and the project mobilizes over 650 suppliers and partner companies. At the same time, related works are continuing for the development of access to the future Hirpinia station, which will become a strategic hub for connecting inland areas to the Italian high-speed network. The project includes new roads, roundabouts, and dedicated parking areas.

In the coming period, contractors will begin excavation of the Melito Tunnel, the last tunnel planned for the Apice–Hirpinia section, with a length of approximately 4.4 km.

Work is also continuing on the other sections of the Naples–Bari line, where new investments are being made to modernize the infrastructure and railway systems. In May, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana presented a new development phase for the Naples–Cancello section, a project supported by funding of approximately 1.1 billion EUR.

The new double-track Naples–Cancello section, approximately 15 km long, will improve connections between the high-speed network and regional transport in the Naples metropolitan area. The line will provide direct connections to the Naples–Afragola station, where rapid transfers will be possible between high-speed trains running on the Rome–Naples axis, the Circumvesuviana network, and local services operating on the Cassino–Naples route.

The Napoli–Afragola station plays a strategic role in southern Italy’s transportation system, serving as one of the most important hubs for rail traffic between Rome, Salerno, and the Puglia region.

Following the commissioning of the new Napoli–Cancello section, the total length of the high-speed infrastructure already operational on the Napoli–Bari main line will reach approximately 55 km.

The new Naples–Bari line is part of the Scandinavian–Mediterranean Corridor of the TEN-T network and is designed to improve connections between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Adriatic Sea, as well as links between southern Italy and the rest of Europe.

The new railway infrastructure will include approximately 145 km of new track, 15 tunnels, 25 viaducts, and 20 stations and stops. Once the project is completed, trains will be able to travel at speeds of up to 250 km/h, and the travel time between Naples and Bari will be reduced to approximately two hours. In addition, the journey between Bari and Rome will take approximately three hours.

By developing the Naples–Bari line, Italy is accelerating the modernization of the railway infrastructure in the south of the country and strengthening the integration of this region into the major European transport corridors. The completion of the Rocchetta tunnel confirms the project’s steady progress and the strategic importance of the new high-speed line for the future mobility of Italy and Southern Europe.