The €220m project is due to be completed in 2022 and includes the construction of a second track and renewal of the substructure, signalling, telecommunications, and electrical substations. Bicocca station will be upgraded and a new station will be built at Motta Sant'Anastasia.

The work is part of a broader project to upgrade the Catania - Palermo conventional line, which will raise the maximum line speed to 200km/h.

The Italian government has allocated €8bn to improve rail links in the south of the country through the “Unblock Italy” decree.