Florence rail junction reopens after first phase of Ponte al Pino works, new stop from July 26

Traffic resumes after week-long closure

Rail traffic on the Florence Campo di Marte–Firenze Rifredi and Florence Campo di Marte–Firenze Santa Maria Novella routes resumed at 4 a.m. on Friday, July 10, marking the end of the first phase of the Ponte al Pino overpass replacement. The reopening followed a week of severe disruption that effectively split Italy's main high-speed line between Rome and Milan, forcing long-distance trains onto slower alternative routes and triggering widespread cancellations.

Nel corso dell'interruzione è stata completata la rimozione del vecchio impalcato, sezionato in tre conci e movimentato con una gru da 2.000 tonnellate, tra le più grandi impiegate in Europa per questo tipo di interventi.

The work: a complex engineering operation

The old metal bridge deck, which sits above the tracks in a heavily urbanised part of Florence, was cut into three sections and lifted away by one of the largest cranes ever deployed for a rail project in Europe, rated at 2,000 tonnes. Simultaneously, demolition of the existing abutments began, preparing the site for the new structure. About 70 highly specialised workers from leading Italian construction and exceptional-lifting firms took part in an operation that RFI described as one of the most complex engineering feats on the national rail network.

Le attività, eseguite in un contesto fortemente urbanizzato, rappresentano una delle operazioni di ingegneria più complesse sulla rete ferroviaria nazionale.

Impact on travel and passenger support

During the closure, long-distance trains faced delays of up to 180 minutes, while regional services were cancelled or rerouted. The alternative route along the old Tyrrhenian line itself suffered faults that further extended journey times. In response, RFI and Trenitalia deployed a dedicated service plan with substitute buses, constant traffic monitoring, and a passenger-assistance operation involving FS Group staff at affected stations and support from the Civil Protection system. The works were planned well in advance with the involvement of the Ministry of Transport (led by Matteo Salvini), the Municipality of Florence and the Tuscany Region.

I collegamenti sono stati garantiti attraverso un piano di esercizio dedicato, con servizi sostitutivi, itinerari alternativi e un costante monitoraggio della circolazione.

Second closure set for July 26–30

The next and final work window is scheduled from 11 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, until 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 30. During that period the new Ponte al Pino overpass, measuring 32 metres long, 16 metres wide and weighing approximately 550 tonnes, will be positioned, completing a strategic intervention to renew and strengthen the infrastructure's safety.