Genoa, 4 March 2024 – Construction has officially started this morning in Genoa on Italy’s first undersea road tunnel, set to become Europe’s largest immersed tunnel. A sophisticated feat of Italian engineering which embraces a novel approach to large-scale infrastructure projects, planned with a major focus towards the future, in compliance with strict sustainable environmental, economic and social requirements. The new tunnel will play a key role in upgrading road access to Genoa, both in terms of urban and port traffic, Italy’s premier cargo and passenger port and leading Mediterranean global maritime gateway to the major European manufacturing and consumer centres.
The new 1-billion euro infrastructure facility, scheduled for completion by 2029, will save 1 million hours of travel time annually, and generate locally positive environmental repercussions. It represents a further momentous step towards the completion of the successful urban regeneration of the Ligurian capital, with the addition of 10 hectares of new urban parks and cycle lanes which will span, landside, the road tunnel on the surface. The project foresees the creation of three new vibrant public green spaces designed to enhance Genoa’s distinct urban architecture and waterfront skyline, whilst simultaneously reducing pollution, improving air quality and promoting biodiversity.
The large-scale project, elaborated with the support of the local authorities on the basis of the Masterplan designed for Genoa by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, under the supervision of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, is the result of the close cooperation forged between the companies of the ASPI Group (Autostrade per l’Italia), including Tecne, the engineering firm responsible for the project design, and Amplia, Italy’s leading construction firm which will conduct the first stage of the planned works.
The inaugural ceremony of the road tunnel construction works at San Benigno was presided over by the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini, the Home Minister Matteo Piantedosi, the Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi, the President of the Liguria Region Giovanni Toti, the Prefect of Genoa Cinzia Torraco, the Mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci, the Government Commissioner of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority Paolo Piacenza and, on behalf of Autostrade per l’Italia, the President Elisabetta Oliveri and the CEO Roberto Tomasi.
Demolition has commenced by the planned western entrance to the future 3.4-km Road Tunnel, composed of two separate tunnels, each hole spanning 16 metres and reaching -45 metres below sea level across the port basin. The construction of the new Undersea Road Tunnel, one of a wide range of major infrastructure projects launched in recent years, is designed improve accessibility by road to the City-Port of Genoa.
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