China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation (CRCHI) has marked a major milestone on the Messina–Catania high‑capacity railway in Sicily, with its 9.36m diameter Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) tunnel boring machine completing the first 2.44km of excavation. This breakthrough represents the initial segment of a planned 12.54km total drive, advancing one of Italy’s most strategically important rail infrastructure upgrades.
A Breakthrough Under Complex Geology
The TBM’s first drive navigated a challenging geological mix—shale, conglomerate, basalt, and sandstone—with uniaxial compressive strengths ranging from 4MPa to 45MPa. Despite these varied and demanding ground conditions, the machine maintained stable excavation performance, demonstrating the robustness of CRCHI’s EPB design.
This initial 2.44km breakthrough is the first on the Messina–Catania section, underscoring the project’s momentum as Italy accelerates development of its high‑capacity rail corridors.
Green, High‑Tech Engineering for a Modern Railway
The Messina–Catania railway is being delivered by Webuild, which has emphasized sustainability and innovation across its tunnelling operations. The CRCHI EPB TBM—nearly 900 tonnes and 9.36m in diameter—is equipped with advanced systems designed to reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, and enhance operational intelligence.
CRCHI’s R&D team collaborated closely with the contractor to tailor the machine to the project’s environmental and technical requirements, ensuring high‑end, intelligent, and eco‑sensitive performance throughout excavation.
Part of a Transformative High‑Capacity Rail Corridor
The Messina–Catania line is a key component of Sicily’s broader high‑capacity railway upgrade, improving connectivity, reducing travel times, and supporting sustainable mobility across the island. The TBM’s 12.54km planned excavation will contribute significantly to the new tunnels forming the Giampilieri–Fiumefreddo section, one of the most technically demanding stretches of the route.
Additional TBMs—also developed by CRCHI and CREG—are scheduled for deployment across adjacent tunnel sections, following successful Factory Acceptance Tests in 2023.
A Milestone Signalling Strong Progress
This first breakthrough is more than a technical achievement—it signals the coordinated success of international engineering collaboration, high‑tech tunnelling innovation, and Italy’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development. As excavation continues toward the full 12.54km target, the project stands as a benchmark for green, intelligent, and resilient tunnelling on a major European rail corridor. 12/26.
