Key Highlights
- The Italian government has promised a new high-speed rail line from Salerno to Reggio Calabria by 2040.
- Cantieri are ongoing for the Battipaglia–Romagnano section, with the Santomarco tunnel being awarded in August 2025 at €1.6 billion.
- The total estimated cost of the project is over €17 billion, including associated works and technological upgrades.
- Travel time between Rome and Reggio Calabria is promised to be around 3 hours 40 minutes by 2040.
High-Speed Rail in Calabria: A Long-Term Investment Plan
The Italian government has set its sights on transforming the transportation landscape of Calabria through a series of ambitious high-speed rail projects. According to plans, by 2040, the region is expected to have more train services traveling at speeds between 160 and 200 kilometers per hour (km/h) in various sections, although an ultimate high-speed line reaching up to 300 km/h will not extend all the way to Reggio Calabria.
The European Union mandates that by 2040, rail networks must support speeds of at least 160 km/h as part of its TEN-T (Trans-European Transport Network) guidelines. While Italy has pledged a new high-speed line from Salerno to Reggio Calabria with a top speed of 300 km/h on paper, the actual construction and funding are concentrated north of the region.
Progress and Challenges in High-Speed Rail Projects
The first significant step towards realizing this vision is the Battipaglia–Romagnano section. The cantieri (construction works) for this part have been ongoing since 2023, with an expected completion by December 2026 as per the PNRR (Recovery and Resilience Plan). However, further sections are still in the planning stages.
A notable development is the raddoppio (doubling) of the Santomarco tunnel.
This project will involve a new 22-kilometer double-track line with high-speed characteristics (approximately 17 kilometers in tunnels), awarded to Webuild for €1.6 billion on August 19, 2025. The primary objective is to alleviate traffic congestion and enable higher-speed rail operations on the stretch crucial for connecting the coastal area of Calabria with the inland region.
Financial Commitments and Future Outlook
The overall estimated cost of the project exceeds €17 billion, encompassing various aspects such as technological upgrades (ERTMS) and associated works. While a portion of these funds will come from the PNRR and additional funding mechanisms, the majority is to be provided by national sources, subject to budgetary priorities.
Despite the ambitious promises, the timeline for achieving full high-speed rail coverage in Calabria remains uncertain. Travel time between Rome and Reggio Calabria could reduce significantly by 2040 to around 3 hours 40 minutes, but this will depend on the successful completion of multiple phases of construction and technological upgrades.
Conclusion
The Path to High-Speed Rail in Calabria
The story of high-speed rail in Calabria is a tale of incremental progress marked by strategic investments and challenges. While the European Union sets the stage with its TEN-T guidelines, it is ultimately up to the Italian government to ensure that these projects move from paper to reality. The key will be sustained political commitment and consistent funding over multiple years.
The region of Calabria, long marginalized in terms of transportation infrastructure, now faces an opportunity for significant improvement. However, realizing this vision requires not just ambitious plans but also the implementation of those plans with unwavering dedication from all stakeholders involved.
