Terzo Valico dei Giovi

On 21 May 2026, the breakthrough was achieved between the Castagnola and Vallemme excavation fronts on the eastbound track of the Valico Tunnel, one of the tunnels of the Terzo Valico dei Giovi, whose design and construction have been entrusted to the General Contractor COCIV.

Excavation was carried out using the traditional method with explosives on both the Castagnola and Vallemme sides. Innovative technical solutions were also implemented, including the use of semi-automatic steel ribs, adopted to manage the complex geomechanical conditions of the rock mass, as well as specific methodologies and procedures to address the presence of gas during excavation.

This milestone is part of a complex and articulated process in which FS Engineering plays a central role throughout the project lifecycle, carrying out, on behalf of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, construction supervision, high-level oversight, and project management activities, thereby contributing to the achievement of the project’s objectives.

The Terzo Valico dei Giovi represents a strategic infrastructure for the country: a new high-capacity, high-speed railway line that will strengthen connections between the Ligurian port system, Northern Italy, and the main European corridors.

The project includes three natural tunnels: the Campasso Tunnel (0.7 km), the Serravalle Tunnel (approximately 7 km - both already excavated), and the Valico Tunnel (27 km), which is at the center of this milestone. The Valico and Serravalle tunnels consist of twin bores, meaning two single-track tunnels running side by side and connected by cross-passages (by-passes), allowing each to serve as a safety tunnel for the other.

To date, works are continuing in parallel on other excavation fronts, confirming the overall progress of the Valico Tunnel, with excavation activities reaching 95% completion.

Today’s milestone follows what was achieved last April with the breakthrough of the two diaphragms of the Novi Ligure Interconnection, marking another important step forward for the Terzo Valico dei Giovi project.

Eight excavation fronts remain active in the Cravasco-Castagnola and Vallemme-Radimero sections, along both northbound and southbound directions and on both eastbound and westbound tracks.