ITALY: Infrastructure manager RFI has signed a protocol with the Prefecture of Roma aimed at facilitating the completion of the orbital ring railway around the capital.
Completing the ring line has been one of RFI’s top priorities for more than a decade, and the scheme has also been included in a list of infrastructure projects identified as having national importance. The line would be served by a circular suburban route FL10, and would also provide a valuable bypass around the capital for freight trains.
The 7 km single-track section of the ring line between Valle Aurelia and Vigna Clara was reopened for passenger services in June, 32 years after a service was provided for eight days during the Italia 90 FIFA World Cup.
Public consultation began in August for completing the ring, to be taken forward as a three-phase programme.
The first stage would be to double-track the Valle Aurelia – Vigna Clara section and extend the line to Tor di Quinto, where an interchange would be provided with the regionally-operated Roma Flaminio – Viterbo railway. The second stage would complete the connection from Tor di Quinto to Val D’Ala, enabling trains to reach the eastern hub at Tiburtina. In the third phase connections would be built to connect with the main lines to Firenze and Civitavecchia, including a link into the important Smistamento freight terminal.
The ‘legality protocol’ with the prefecture is intended to combat the infiltration of organised crime into the field of public procurement, services and supplies. This would ensure that any tenders for work on the project would be managed transparently.
