Giampilieri–Fiumefreddo line doubling project: progress made with the ‘Alessia’ TBM

Palermo, 14 April 2026

Significant progress continues on the 42-kilometre Giampilieri–Fiumefreddo railway doubling project along the Messina–Catania–Palermo route. A key milestone was reached with the successful relocation of the TBM "Alessia" following the completion of the 2,488-meter Forza d’Agrò tunnel, with the breakthrough taking place on 17 February 2026.

FS Engineering (FS Group) is spearheading the technical management and engineering coordination for the project. The company ensures rigorous oversight of the most complex technical, logistical, and safety-critical activities—of which the TBM relocation is among the most challenging phases.

The operation took place on the 90-meter Fondaco Parrino viaduct. The 1,200-tonne TBM (extending to 1,800 tonnes with beams and bogies)—was transported using two 22-axle self-propelled modular transporters, known as "centipedes," positioned across the viaduct’s dual decks. This specialized configuration ensured a controlled move that maintained the structural integrity of the existing viaduct while supporting the extreme weight of the equipment.

The operation was underpinned by rigorous structural analysis of the viaduct, precisely defined load parameters, and strict verification of geometric tolerances. Every phase of the handling process was meticulously monitored to ensure the highest standards of safety and engineering reliability. This success was made possible through seamless multidisciplinary coordination between the design teams, project management, and contractors.

With this relocation complete, TBM "Alessia" is now positioned to begin excavating the even tube of the 3.883-kilometer double-bore Letojanni tunnel in June 2026.

The doubling of the Giampilieri–Fiumefreddo line, a strategic approx. €2.3 billion investment partly funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), is essential for modernizing Sicily’s mobility infrastructure and strengthening the Scandinavia–Mediterranean TEN-T Corridor. The project will significantly enhance line capacity, speed, and service regularity while stimulating freight traffic. Most notably, it will reduce travel times between Messina and Catania by approximately 30 minutes (down to 45 minutes), creating the necessary conditions for high-frequency metropolitan rail services.

Through its expert technical management and coordination of complex engineering challenges, FS Engineering reaffirms its leading role in delivering major infrastructure projects, as a concrete contribution to developing a modern, efficient, resilient and sustainable rail network for the future.