Webuild works on the first section of the Naples-Bari High-Speed/High-Capacity Railway

The first stretch of the future Naples-Bari high-speed/high-capacity railway is taking shape, with construction led by Webuild on behalf of RFI (FS Italiane Group). The initial two kilometers of track have been laid on the Naples-Cancello segment, while work on the Casalnuovo tunnel is nearing completion. This tunnel is being excavated using an innovative and sustainable hyperbaric technique, a first in Italy for projects interacting with groundwater.

Track installation for the 15.5 km Naples-Cancello section began at Acerra station (Naples province) and will progress toward Cancello (CE), with completion expected by the end of summer. In the final phase, the new tracks will connect to Naples-Afragola station, set to become a major transport hub.

This will allow smoother integration between suburban, regional, and historic railway networks with the high-speed system.

With the activation of this section, new stations at Acerra and Casalnuovo will open, along with the planned Centro Commerciale stop. From early 2026, these additions will greatly improve access to the high-speed rail network across the Naples metropolitan area. Cities like Casoria, Casalnuovo, Afragola, Caivano, and Acerra will benefit from better connections, thanks to the integration of regional lines with the Naples-Afragola high-speed station.

At the same time, construction of the Casalnuovo tunnel on the Naples-Cancello section is moving forward as planned, with more than 60% now complete. Around 650 meters of the tunnel, which passes through a densely populated area, are being excavated nonstop, 24/7, using a hyperbaric technique.

This method, rarely used for projects of this kind in Europe, enables continuous excavation even in challenging conditions.




The future Naples-Bari high-speed railway will span 145 km and feature 9 tunnels, 25 viaducts, and 16 new stations and stops. Once completed, it will become a key mobility infrastructure for southern Italy, cutting travel time between Naples and Bari from around four hours to just two. This will significantly improve connections between Campania, Apulia, and the rest of central and northern Italy.

Webuild is involved in the construction on four sections of this route—Naples-Cancello, Apice-Hirpinia, Hirpinia-Orsara, and Orsara-Bovino. These projects are part of the 19 major initiatives the Group is developing across southern Italy and the islands, including over 300 km of new high-speed/high-capacity railway. To carry out this work, the Group currently employs more than 8,100 people across southern Italy, both directly and through contractors, and has engaged 5,400 companies in the supply chain since construction began.

www.webuildgroup.com