The project, which includes 12km of connections to the existing network in Brescia, is due to be completed in 2016.

The first 27km section from Milan to Treviglio has been in service since 2007, while the remaining 74km section from Brescia to Verona is in design. The line is currently being extended a further 75km east to Padua where it will connect with the remaining 25km section to Venice which also opened in 2007.

Further south, FS plans to open Bologna's new underground high-speed station and cross-city link this month.