Palermo - Catania - Messina

Home Strategic Projects Palermo-Catania-Messina

This project foresees the expansion of the Palermo-Catania-Messina connection, guaranteeing:

For the Messina-Catania line – an electrified double track connection between Fiumefreddo-Giampielieri;
For the Palermo-Catania line – stretches of double track between Bicocca-Catenanuova and between Fiumetorto-Lercata, along with sections of single-track side-by-side with the historic line between Lercara-Catenanuova then, in a second phase, a large part of the single-track sections shall be upgraded to electrified double track;
Fixing up the Catania Junction.

Overall, the interventions ensure compliance with interoperability requirements and the speeding up of the Messina-Catania-Palermo route.

The entire project will allow a significant increase in the competitiveness of rail passenger transport, meeting mobility needs in terms of reduced journey times, regularity and frequency.

Filippo Palazzo was appointed Extraordinary Governmental Commissioner for completion of the works.

Advantages

Once fully operational, the new Palermo-Catania link will make it possible to reduce current travel times by about 60 minutes, connecting the two metropolitan cities in 2 hours, compared to the current 3 hours.
The new infrastructure will make it possible to review the service model that foresees the speeding up of connections between the main Sicilian cities. The new Messina - Catania link make it possibile to reduce current travel times in 45 minutes compared to the current 1 hour and 15.
The adjustment of the performance of the entire project infrastructure, in terms of the axle weight module and outline, represents the first step in upgrading aimed at creating the conditions to develop freight train traffic within the island.
An improvement in accessibility to railway services thanks to the construction of the new service areas of Valle del Torto, Nuova Enna and the adaptation of the main stations on the new line and on the sections of the historic line that will remain in operation, in phases with completion beyond 2026.

250 km/h maximum speed

223 total kilometres

11,2 mld € in investments

Work progress status

Design
Since 2015
Permits
Since 2016
Tenders
Since 2017
Start of work
Since 2018
End of work
Since 2025

Fiumetorto - Lercara branch line - 1^ macro-phase Palermo - Catania: Lot 1+2 Fiumetorto - Lercara branch line

Stages of progression: WORKS

Design end date: 2020
End date of the authorisation process: 2022
Date of tender publication: 2022
Start date of executive design and implementation: 2023
Activation Date: since December 2029

Lercara branch line - Caltanissetta Xirbi - 1^ macro-phase Palermo - Catania: Lot 3 Lercara branch line - Caltanissetta Xirbi

Stages of progression: WORKS

Design end date: 2020
End date of the authorisation process: 2022
Date of tender publication: 2022
Start date of executive design and implementation: 2023
Work end date: 2026
Activation Date: since November 2026

Caltanissetta Xirbi – Enna - 1^ macro-phase Palermo - Catania: Lot 4a Caltanissetta Xirbi - Enna

Stages of progression: WORKS

Design end date: 2020
End date of the authorisation process: 2022
Date of tender publication: 2022
Start date of executive design and implementation: 2023
Activation Date: since October 2026

Enna - Dittaino - 1^ macro-phase Palermo - Catania: Lot 4b Enna - Dittaino

Stages of progression: Works

Design end date: 2020
End date of the authorisation process: 2021
Date of tender publication: 2022
Start date of executive design and implementation: 2022
Work end date: 2026
Activation Date: since October 2026

Dittaino - Catenanuova - 1^ macro-phas Palermo - Catania: Lot 5 Dittaino - Catenanuova

Stages of progression: WORKS

Design end date: 2019
End date of the authorisation process: 2022
Date of tender publication: 2022
Start date of executive design and implementation: 2022
Work end date: 2025
Activation Date: 2025

Catenanuova Bicocca - 1^ macro-phase Palermo - Catania: Lot 6 Catenanuova Bicocca

Stages of progression: WORKS

Design end date: 2015
End date of the authorisation process: 2016
Date of tender publication: 2017
Start date of executive design and implementation: 2018
Work end date: 2024
Activation Date: since February 2025

2^ macro-phase Palermo - Catania - 2^ macro-phase of the new Palermo - Catania connection, upgrading the existing line to TSI with activation of doubled sections, single lot

Stages of progression: DESIGN

Activation Date: December 2029

Catania Junction - Catania Junction: Burying the Catania Acquicella - Bicocca line to eliminate interference with the Fontanarossa Airport

Stages of progression: WORKS

Design end date: 2021
End date of the authorisation process: 2022
Date of tender publication: 2022
Start date of executive design and implementation: 2023
Activation Date: since December 2026

Catania Centrale and Catania Acquicella - Catania Junction: Burying at Central Station and completion of double track between Catania Centrale and Catania Acquicella

Stages of progression: DESIGN

Activation Date: 2030

Raddoppio Fiumefreddo-Giampilieri - Raddoppio Fiumefreddo-Giampilieri

Stages of progression: WORKS

Design end date: 2017
End date of the authorisation process: 2020
Date of tender publication: 2020
Start date of executive design and implementation: 2021
Work end date: 2029 by steps
Activation Date: since 2030 by steps

Palermo - Catania - Messina