By rosebell
Construction is progressing on Italy’s Naples–Bari high-speed/high-capacity railway line, a major infrastructure project designed to improve connections across southern Italy and strengthen links between the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts.
Backed by an investment of more than €6bn, the project involves upgrading and doubling approximately 145km of railway infrastructure. Around 100km of tunnels are being constructed across the route by seven consortia using different excavation methods. The overall programme is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Mapei is supporting tunnel construction across the project through its Underground Technology Team, supplying materials and technical assistance for excavation, concrete works, waterproofing and tunnel lining.
On the Telese–Vitulano section, seven railway tunnels are being excavated using conventional methods in challenging ground conditions. The contractor, Consorzio Telese, is using shotcrete accelerators, concrete admixtures and synthetic reinforcement fibres. Waterproofing systems are also being applied to the completed tunnel surfaces.
Further east, TBM excavation is under way on the 18.7km Apice–Hirpinia section, where Consorzio Hirpinia AV, part of the Webuild Group, is constructing the tunnels. Mapei is supplying admixtures and bentonite for the two-component backfill grout used to fill the annular gap between the ground and precast concrete lining segments.
The Hirpinia–Orsara section involves 54km of tunnels excavated using four TBMs, while the Orsara–Bovino section includes two TBM-driven tunnels with a combined length of approximately 11.8km.
The railway is designed for train speeds of 200–250km/h, reducing the journey between Naples and Bari to approximately two hours.
