2 of the 15 TBMs that will dig the new Palermo-Catania link have successfully passed the FAT Test

Today, March 28, the first of the five TBMs, an EPB with a diameter of 9.32m, that will excavate Lot 3 Lercara-Caltanissetta Xirbi of the Palermo-Catania link successfully completed the FAT test in China. 

Lot 3 involves the detailed design and construction of 47km of new railway line, with the route mostly a variant from the historic line. The contract includes the construction of about 22 km of tunnels (including interconnections), more than 11 km of rail and road viaducts, 32 km of connected roads, and the modernization of Vallelunga station. 

A few days ago, on March 25, the FAT test of the third of the six TBMs, an EPB with a diameter of 9.40m, which will excavate Lot 4 Caltanissetta Xirbi-Nuova Enna, was also successfully concluded.  

Lot 4A involves the detailed design and construction of 27 km of the line from Caltanissetta Xirbi station (included) to Nuova Enna station (excluded), with the route to be developed mainly as a variant to the existing line. The work also includes 20 km of tunnels and 3 km of viaducts. 

The benefits of the New Palermo Catania Link:  

• Infrastructural development and sustainable mobility in the South.  

• Reduction in train travel time of about 1 hour between Palermo and Catania.   

• Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.