The completion and inauguration of two new rail tracks on the Genoa Voltri–Sampierdarena section marks a major milestone for the “Nodo di Genova” (Genoa Junction), finalising the quadrupling of the railway between the two stations on Italy’s Ligurian Coast.
The works form part of the Progetto Unico Nodo di Genova/Terzo Valico dei Giovi (Genoa Junction–Terzo Valico Unified Project), delivered by a general contractor consortium led by the Webuild Group on behalf of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), the project client. The initiative is being supervised by Italferr, also part of the FS Italiane Group, and coordinated by Government Commissioner Calogero Mauceri.
The new infrastructure will enable the separation of long-distance and freight services from local and regional traffic, significantly improving service regularity within the Genoa Junction and across the Ligurian regional network.
Inauguration of the new line
An inaugural train travelled from Genova Piazza Principe to Genova Voltri and back to mark the occasion, with senior representatives from government, industry, and regional authorities on board. Among them were Edoardo Rixi, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport; Calogero Mauceri, Commissioner for the Terzo Valico dei Giovi, Genoa Junction and Campasso projects; Marco Bucci, President of the Liguria Region; Silvia Salis, Mayor of Genoa; and, from the FS Italiane Group, Chief Executives and General Managers Aldo Isi (RFI), Dario Lo Bosco (Italferr), and Gianpiero Strisciuglio (Trenitalia). Nicola Meistro, Vice President Operations Rail Italy at Webuild, also attended alongside representatives of national and local institutions.
A key step for the Ligurian rail network
The newly completed section extends for approximately 8.5 kilometres, including both existing and new tunnels — the Doria–Monte Gazzo and the Polcevera tunnels. The line now consists of four tracks: two existing lines for local and regional services along the coastal route, and two newly built lines dedicated to long-distance passenger and freight trains.
This configuration completes the Pra’ Bypass, previously known as the Voltri Bypass, allowing freight and Intercity services to bypass the congested coastal route. The project also establishes a future connection to the Terzo Valico dei Giovi, through two new interconnection chambers that will link the long-distance tracks directly to the high-capacity corridor to Milan.
The Doria–Monte Gazzo tunnels, forming part of the single-tube, double-track Pra’ Bypass, were extended eastwards, while the new Polcevera Tunnel, approximately 3 kilometres long, connects to the Succursale dei Giovi line at the existing Polcevera junction. The latter merges with a new node that interfaces with both the single-track Genoa–Ovada line and the double-track Succursale dei Giovi line.
Modern safety and operational systems
The project includes two new Evacuation and Rescue Points (PES) designed in compliance with EU tunnel safety and interoperability technical specifications. These are located at the Doria Tunnel near Voltri (PES Doria) and at the Polcevera Tunnel entrance (PES Spinola-Raggi).
Traffic on the new line will be managed by the Genoa Teglia Control Centre, which will oversee the entire Genoa Junction network. The control centre will ensure comprehensive monitoring of rail operations, provide passenger information, and manage emergency interventions if required.
Improved capacity and service reliability
From 7 October 2025, the new section began commercial operation, serving Intercity trains on routes between Savona/Ventimiglia and Milan/Eastern Liguria, as well as freight services travelling in both directions. This change will relieve pressure on the coastal line, separating regional and long-distance flows, and improving service punctuality and capacity.
Once the Genoa Junction is fully completed, it will enable increased train frequency on routes between Savona and Ventimiglia, while the opening of the Terzo Valico dei Giovi will allow freight trains to travel directly from the Port of Pra’ to Milan, significantly boosting port connectivity and national logistics performance.
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