On 30 October 2025, excavators demolished the diaphragm of the 1196 m-long La Rossa tunnel in Genga (Ancona), part of the underway upgrading of the Orte-Falconara line, lot 2 Genga-Serra San Quirico, financed mainly with funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). 

The works have been commissioned by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (FS Italiane Group), the client of the project, to the temporary joint venture (RTI) formed by Eteria Consorzio Stabile and Salcef, under the supervision of Italferr (FS Italiane Group), for a total investment value of approximately EUR 545 million, EUR 438 million of which are funded by the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). 

THE PROJECT – The upgrading of the Orte–Falconara railway line includes several parts, among which is the doubling of the PM 228–Castelplanio section, divided into three lots:

Lot 1: PM 228–Genga section

Lot 2: Genga–Serra San Quirico section (NRRP-funded)

Lot 3: Serra San Quirico–Castelplanio section

LOT 2 – This section, particularly complex with 6 tunnels and 4 viaducts, is considered a priority compared to the other lots and has been included among the NRRP-funded works for the doubling of the Genga–Serra San Quirico section. This section will increase the infrastructure’s capacity for passengers, improving accessibility to the rail service, regularity, and safety by eliminating the existing level crossings along the route. Some sections of the line will allow speeds of up to 200 km/h, while in this specific lot speeds will reach up to 170 km/h. The new alignment of Lot 2 (8.9 km) will be built mostly on a new route and, for more than half of its length, in a tunnel. 

The main works include:

•  construction of a series of tunnels alternating with viaducts;
•  construction of a new station in Genga, near the Frasassi Caves Park;
•  upgrading and building new road connections to restore links with State Road 76 (SS 76);
•  redevelopment of Serra San Quirico station. 

BENEFITS – The project will allow for an increase in line speed up to 200 km/h, resulting in shorter travel times - up to 30 minutes less on the Rome-Ancona route and up to 10 minutes less on the Rome–Perugia route - as well as improved intermodality and reduced road congestion. 

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