ITALY: A 3·7 km extension of Milano metro Line 3 from Maciachini north to Comasina entered service on March 26, adding four new stations to the Yellow Line. Interchange with LeNord local rail services is provided at Affori Nord.
The next metro line to enter service in Milano will be the first phase of the driverless Line 5, currently under construction between Bignami and Garibaldi.
Tunnelling of the 6 km section with nine stations is 80% complete. The alignment between Bignami and Marche will run in a double-track tunnel which has been bored using a TBM. Excavation of the remaining section, which will run mostly in twin tunnels between Zara and Garibaldi, is now underway.
Two trainsets have arrived at the depot in Bignami and dynamic tests are expected to start shortly using the section between Bicocca and the depot as a test track. Opening of the Bignami – Zara section is envisaged in mid-2012 with the remainder of Phase I expected to be in service by 2013.
