Webuild has passed a key milestone on the Apice–Hirpinia section of the Naples–Bari high-speed/high-capacity railway, completing more than four kilometres of excavation on the Rocchetta Tunnel. The structure is the longest underground element of the 18.7 km section, which is being delivered for Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) as part of a major upgrade to southern Italy’s rail infrastructure.
Excavation is being carried out using “Futura”, a next-generation tunnel boring machine with a cutterhead over 12 metres in diameter. To date, the TBM has completed the first four kilometres of the planned 6.4 km tunnel, bringing overall progress to 62%.
The tunnel forms a central component of the Apice–Hirpinia section, which includes 13 km of tunnels across the provinces of Avellino and Benevento.
Civil works completed at the new Hirpinia station
Webuild has also completed civil works on the new Hirpinia station, which is built on two levels and includes four tracks — two central and two lateral. The station will be served by a new access road system featuring four roundabouts, eight connecting roadways and a dedicated parking area. Construction of the access road began in recent weeks.
The station will provide a strategic interchange for the inland areas of Avellino and Benevento, improving access to the national high-speed rail network.
Part of a wider EUR 15 billion investment in southern Italy
The Apice–Hirpinia section is one of several large contracts awarded to Webuild across southern Italy, with a combined value of around €15 billion. As of 30 June 2025, these projects involve approximately 8,700 workers, directly and indirectly, and a supply chain of more than 7,600 companies.
The Naples–Bari railway forms part of the Scandinavian–Mediterranean Corridor of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), a strategic axis designed to strengthen connectivity between the region and the rest of Europe.
Upcoming construction milestones
Webuild is preparing for the next major phase on the Apice–Hirpinia section: the launch of the reinforced concrete beams for the Ufita–Apice viaduct, which will connect the Rocchetta Tunnel with the future Apice station in Benevento.
To support the project, the company has established an Advanced Training Centre in Apice and a dedicated training lab in Bovino. The facilities include a TBM simulator that enables realistic training for operators involved in complex excavation work.
Transforming connections across southern Italy
Once completed, the 145 km Naples–Bari line will include 15 tunnels, 25 viaducts and 20 stations and stops. It will reduce travel times significantly, including:
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Naples–Bari: 2 hours (currently 4)
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Rome–Bari: 3 hours
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Lecce/Taranto–Rome: 4 hours
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