Palermo-Messina doubling works

Home Strategic Projects Palermo-Messina doubling works

The project includes the doubling of the Fiumetorto - Castelbuono route, on the Palermo Messina line, for an extension of about 32 km, divided into two lots:

1st Lot - Fiumetorto - Ogliastrillo (Cefalù) section: track-doubling for an extension of approximately 19 km, mainly developed as a track variant to includes the new Monte Poggio Maria tunnel and the new Lascari station.
2nd Lot - Ogliastrillo (Cefalù) - Castelbuono section: track-doubling of about 13 km, developed entirely as route variant, and consisting mainly of two tunnel sections, the Cefalù Tunnel (TBM-built twin tube), and the S. Ambrogio Tunnel (traditional excavation single tube), in addition to the construction of the new Cefalù stop entirely underground, and the Castelbuono station.

The project has received partial public funding.

FOCUS: Excavation of the Cefalù Tunnel

The TBM is excavating the odd-numbered tube of the Cefalù tunnel; the map below shows the position of the mole head.

TBM position as at 03/11/2025

Average forward speed: 10 m/day
Progress mode: open mode
Average excavation depth from ground level: 95 m
Total excavated length: 5765 m (86,5% approx).

The excavation of the odd-numbered tunnel is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026, following which the TBM will be dismantled/reassembled for the subsequent restart of the mechanized excavation of the even-numbered tunnel.

160 km/h maximum speed

32 total kilometres

1,014 mln € in investments

ADVANTAGES

Capacity increase (from 4 trains/h in both directions to 10 trains/h in each direction).
Improved accessibility to the city of Palermo and the 'Falcone e Borsellino' international airport in Punta Raisi.
Reduction of journey times on the Palermo-Messina connection and improved traffic management.

Work progress

The following sections have been completed:

Cefalù Tunnel – Up-track side: mechanical excavation and tunnel lining approximately 86.5% complete – 5,765 m. Construction of the natural tunnel entry formwork on the Messina side is underway.
Cefalù Station – Access tunnel to the Mezzanine level: construction of the micropile retaining wall and anchors for the tunnel entrance is underway.
Carbone Area: completion of the reinforced concrete slabs and the parapet walls of the Carbone viaducts No. 1 and 2. Trench construction between the viaducts and backfilling behind the viaduct abutments is in progress.
S. Ambrogio Tunnel: the traditionally excavated tunnel is fully completed and lined; finishing works are ongoing. Completion of the artificial tunnel on the Palermo side is underway.
Access shaft to the S. Ambrogio Tunnel: the traditionally excavated tunnel is fully completed and lined. The artificial tunnel has been completed.
Malpertugio Tunnel: traditional excavation methods in progress. Excavation completion at 84%. The artificial tunnel on the Palermo side of Malpertugio has been completed.
Castelbuono Station Area: construction of piles, micropiles and anchors for the retaining walls on the mountain side and for the underpass is currently in progress.