Bologna HS Station is like a condensed city, both in terms of use and the way interior spaces are organised: as well as renovation of the current building, new buildings form an organic and harmonious development with respect to its surroundings, with heights and extensions in line with existing buildings.

Of particular interest is the corner building, one of the three entrances to the station together with the entrance from the historical station. The third entrance, located on Ponte Matteotti, was designed to make the most of the historical road network, giving it a new function.

This is an extremely modern station designed to improve traffic on the railway Hub, re-establish the urban fabric and connect the Bolognina district with the city centre.

In addition to the entrance in the historical station, this station - designed by Italferr (a Gruppo FS Italiane subsidiary), which was also responsible for directing works - has an entrance in the foyer on Via de’ Carracci (Bolognina district), which provides access to the city centre via underground walkways in Bologna Central Station.

The station also has an underground road called “kiss&ride” providing direct access to the HS station for traffic coming from Via Fioravanti and the new North – South road system (connection between Via Pietramellara and Via de’ Carracci).
Bologna Central High Speed Station, a large underground “room” around 640 metres long, 56 metres wide and 23 metres deep comprising three levels:

the HS level, around 23 metres in depth and located below the station service area, has 4 High Speed tracks and two large platforms;
the central HS hall level (-15 metres) is used for passenger railway services (self-service ticket machines, information desks, toilets) and businesses (café, newsagent’s, etc.);
the kiss&ride level (-7 metres, not yet operational) is an underground road that crosses the station longitudinally and connects with the Salesiani underground car park.

Materials with high mechanical and chemical resistance, stability and durability were used for the station to ensure benefits in terms of maintenance. Interior walls are mainly glass to ensure strong resistance to fire and to diffuse natural light to improve comfort and luminosity. Lighting is provided by long-lasting LED systems to ensure energy savings of around 50%, thereby helping to limit atmospheric pollution and considerably reduce maintenance costs.