A strategic rail link for the development of the Apennine cross-country route

The project

The upgrading of the Rome–Pescara line represents a strategic infrastructure project for the development of an efficient trans-Apennine link, helping to address the long-standing lack of railway infrastructure in the areas concerned. The project aims to increase the efficiency of medium- and long-distance connections, improving the competitiveness of passenger and freight services by reducing journey times, increasing service frequencies, and developing intermodal transport solutions.

Strategic context and European objectives

The Rome–Pescara Global Project comprises a coordinated set of initiatives for the achievement of strategic domestic and European objectives. In particular, the project forms part of Pillar 2 – Connecting the Region of the EUSAIR Strategy (EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region), which aims to develop a competitive port and logistics system, integrated with the rail network and with intermodal links to the hinterland, for both freight and passenger traffic. The overall objective is to enhance cross-regional rail connections by modernising and speeding up key infrastructure routes, thereby helping to reduce regional imbalances and strengthening accessibility as a driver of economic and social development.

Structure of the Global Project

The project comprises an integrated system of rail sections and engineering works along the entire corridor, including:

• Rome–Tagliacozzo, Tagliacozzo–Avezzano (Lot 4)
• Sulmona Bypass, Pratola Peligna–Sulmona (Lot 3)
• Scafa–Pratola Peligna, Manoppello–Scafa (Lot 2)
• Abruzzo Interport–Manoppello (Lot 1)

The project is completed by functional works on the Rome–Tagliacozzo section, the Sulmona Bypass and the Scafa–Pratola Peligna section, to ensure the continuity and overall efficiency of the corridor.

The role of FS Engineering

FS Engineering is involved in the project to upgrade the infrastructure and technology of the Rome–Pescara line, which consists of several phases and aims to significantly improve rail services between Lazio and Abruzzo. By doubling the line, increasing the commercial speed of trains, and upgrading the rail technology journey times can be significantly cut, from the current approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes to around 2 hours. The construction of the new trans-Apennine route will also help to increase line capacity from 4 to 10 trains per hour on the sections where the line is being doubled, with the possibility of introducing metro-style services in the Chieti–Pescara area, benefiting local and regional transport.