New Palermo-Catania-Messina Rail Link
Significant progress is made in the Giampilieri-Fiumefreddo track-doubling project
Messina, June 8, 2026
Concrete progress continues on the Palermo-Catania-Messina route along the Giampilieri–Fiumefreddo track-doubling section, marked by the breakthrough of the first tube of the Scaletta Tunnel (over 2.7 km) and the launch of preparatory tunnelling works for the Letojanni Tunnel (3.8 km)
The “Letteria” TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) has completed excavation of one of the twin tubes of the Scaletta Tunnel, each measuring over 2.7 km in length, near Giampilieri, where the new alignment will tie into the existing double-track infrastructure.
Furthermore, following the successful excavation of the first tube of the nearly 2.5-km Forza d’Agrò Tunnel, the “Alessia” TBM was disassembled and transported across a 90-meter viaduct spanning the Fondaco Parrino stream and, after being reassembled, commenced excavation of the first tube of the 3.8-km Letojanni Tunnel.
This milestone underscores the central role of FS Engineering in the construction management and technical oversight of strategic infrastructure assets, achieved through highly complex, coordinated works executed to rigorous engineering standards.
The FS Engineering project team managed every phase with technical expertise and operational rigor, ensuring the necessary project controls to hit this critical target.
The track-doubling project between Giampilieri and Fiumefreddo, an important part of the upgrading project of the Palermo-Catania-Messina corridor, will complete the track-doubling of the network between Messina and Catania, through the construction of 42 km of new double-track infrastructure, approximately 37 km of which will be built underground along a completely new alignment independent of the existing line.
The Giampilieri-Fiumefreddo track-doubling project is one of the most challenging lots on the Messina line and will expand capacity, increase operating speeds, and significantly enhance reliability for services operating between Messina and Catania – a link that forms an integral part of the European TEN-T Scandinavian-Mediterranean Core Network Corridor.
The project to complete the Messina-Catania track-doubling is divided into two distinct functional lots:
- Lot 1 (Fiumefreddo – Taormina) spans a 13.9 km alignment featuring two viaducts totalling approximately 1 km, 3 bored tunnels (Calatabiano, Taormina-Catania portal, and the Letojanni interconnection) totaling 10.8 km, and the 1-km Fiumfreddo cut-and-cover tunnel. The scope also includes the new Taormina station and two passenger stops at Fiumefreddo-Calatabiano and Alcantara-Giardini Naxos.
- Lot 2 (Taormina – Giampilieri) comprises 28 km of new double-track infrastructure, including 6 viaducts spanning approximately 2 km and 8 tunnels (Taormina-Messina portal, currently being conventionally excavated; Letojanni, Forza d’Agrò, Sciglio, Nizza, Alì, Quali, and Scaletta) totaling approximately 25.3 km underground. The section also features 2 stations (Letojanni and Sant’Alessio-Santa Teresa) and 2 passenger stops (Nizza-Alì, Itala-Scaletta).
Work by the other tunnel boring machines is also proceeding at full speed: at the Trappitello site, the “Lucia” TBM has been boring the 6-km twin-tube Taormina Tunnel (Catania side) since July 2024; at Nizza di Sicilia, the “Igea” TBM has been excavating the Sciglio Tunnel since April 2024. In total, five tunnel boring machines will be deployed across the Giampilieri-Fiumefreddo track-doubling project.
The Palermo-Catania-Messina upgrade corridor is part of “Cantieri Parlanti” (Talking Construction Sites) initiative launched by FS Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, to ensure public transparency regarding project activities and socioeconomic benefits via public events, information hubs, and a dedicated website for strategic projects.
