ITALY IN FOCUS

About 4000km of tunnels have been built in Italy, including 1200km for railways, 900km for roads, 150km for metros, and the rest for hydraulic works. This article describes the tunnelling work completed and in progress. Much of Italy is mountainous, with the Alps near the northern border, and the Apennine peninsula along most of Italy's length. Despite their difficult and varied geology, these mountains create a great demand for tunnels. Although their construction costs are high, tunnels are widely used in Italy because they protect the environment and optimise land use. In this context, Italy must fulfill the following objectives in the next 20 years: (1) updating its railway network, to adapt it to higher speeds and wider trains, and rerouting much coastal railway to protect coastal scenery; (2) building the new high-speed railway network; (3) updating many motorways, by adjusting their routes and widening them from two to three lanes per carriageway; and (4) improving environment and quality of life in urban and rural areas. The article reports on tunnelling projects to improve the existing rail network, tunnels in the new high-speed rail network, underground rail crossings of large urban areas, modernising the old motorway network, urban underground works, and large transalpine railway and road tunnels.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Miller Freeman

    Calderwood Street
    London,   United Kingdom  SE18 6QH
  • Authors:
    • PELIZZA, S
  • Publication Date: 2000-4

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 16-8
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00795182
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Jul 7 2000 12:00AM