ITALY: Reconstruction works have started on the largely moribund 1 445 mm gauge Milano – Limbiate interurban light rail line.
The 12 km partly single-track route with 19 stops links the Comasina terminus on Milano’s metro Line 3 with Limbiate Ospedale. The route has been out of service since September 2022 because of poor track conditions, but 10 new trams are already on order as part of operator ATM’s framework contract for up to 80 Stadler Tramlink vehicles signed in September 2020.
Works are being undertaken by a consortium led by Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie Elettriche, and including Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie, Vitali Spa Società Benefit, Salcef Group and Project Automation SpA. Of the €182m cost of the works, €88m was provided by the national government.
The scope of the work includes track renewal, and the repair and replacement of overhead wires, other power supply equipment and telecommunications systems. The alignment is also to be partially double-tracked and relocated at various locations to sit in the central reservation of the Milano – Limbiate main road.
The road and light rail bridge over the Villoresi Canal is also to be rebuilt. Intelligent traffic lights are to be installed, giving priority to trams, while new pavements and a cycle path are also to be built along the line.
Completion of the renovation work is expected by the end of 2029.
