The contract for the Bicocca - Catenanuova section was awarded to a consortium of Salini Impregilo, Astaldi, Sifel and CLF. The project is part of the Palermo - Catania - Messina fast connection plan and is the first in Sicily to be implemented under the Unblock Italy decree.

 

The work includes increasing the maximum line speed to 200km/h and covers improvements to track, signalling and telecommunications, electricity sub-stations and Bicocca station, and construction of the new station at Motta Sant’Anastasia. The first 200km/h track will be ready in 2020 and the project will be completed in 2022.

“The Bicocca - Catenanuova project constitutes a fundamental step to improve rail connections in Sicily and to connect it to the European TEN-T Corridor network,” says RFI’s CEO Mr Maurizio Gentile. “The first benefits in terms of travel time reduction will begin to be seen in 2020. By the end of 2025 - thanks to the other works envisaged - it will be possible to travel from Catania to Palermo in less than two hours.” The current fastest journey time for the 243km trip is 2h 47min.

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