A challenging summer of 2024 is expected for the Genoa railway hub due to ongoing construction. RFI has announced the operational program for the July-September 2024 period, which entails several interruptions affecting various routes throughout the summer quarter. Central to the work is the quadrupling of tracks to separate traffic flows impacting the Genoa node. Specifically, the interventions concern the connection between Borzoli and Voltri, preparatory works for the Campasso line, as well as the Sommergibile line and the Quadrivio Torbella.
The most significant consequence is that the isolation of the entire Sampierdarena port complex from a railway perspective is anticipated to last seven weeks due to the interruption of the Sommergibile. It is important to note that all the limitations and closures of routes indicated by RFI should only affect freight traffic and not passenger services. However, commercial connections with the port will bear the brunt, despite a typical summer lull in transport demand.
The operational program communicated by RFI, with the inevitable substantial changes to circulation, spans from July 27 to September 13, although some limitations are expected from earlier dates. For instance, from early July, the Campasso will be affected with trains initially diverted via Mignanego and subsequently via Arquata Scrivia, though this will not prevent numerous train cancellations such as those heading to Ovada.
The core of the work begins on July 27 for the Quadrivio Torbella and Sommergibile quadrupling. Trains to Genoa Marittima will be canceled, as will freight services to Voltri and Savona, or at best, these will be diverted to San Giuseppe di Cairo where possible. The Bivio Fegino will also be affected by diversions. These severe limitations will continue practically throughout August 2024, with minimal changes to train routings, which may at times involve the line to San Giuseppe di Cairo or Ovada. According to RFI's schedule, the interventions on the Genoa hub included in this phase of work should conclude within the workweek ending on September 13.
Alongside RFI's work, other activities on Genoa's railway infrastructure are proceeding concurrently, such as those scheduled by the Port Authority in the Bettolo area with the new container bundle and revisions of other tracks, the first phase of terminal enhancement awaiting future gantry cranes.
However, the interventions on the Genoa railway hub will not be completed with the summer 2024 construction, as further work is already planned for 2025 and 2026. Specifically, the Genoa Marittima-Fuori Muro bundle will be modified and enhanced to extend tracks to the standard module of 750 meters in a crucial node as it connects the Sampierdarena port with the main railway network. Full operational capacity will only be achieved later with the construction of the Campasso sorting facility and the restoration of the San Benigno tunnel.
Piermario Curti Sacchi
