Major Infrastructure Projects in Northern Italy: A Progress Report
Infrastructure development faces minor setbacks
Hey there! Let's dive into the current state of major infrastructure projects supported by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) in Northern Italy. These projects, monitored by the Territorial Infrastructure Observatory (Oti), are backed by industrial confederations throughout the region, including Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Trentino Alto Adige. This year, we'll have our eyes on 86 projects, as the 2024 edition of the Oti report reveals.
Last year, 83% of these sites continued their course, though there was a slight deterioration compared to the previous year. In practice, this meant 66.7% of the major infrastructures in the macroregion progressed according to their original schedules. However, certain sites did experience delays or critical issues. Notably, the railway spur between Mestre and Venice's airport is running behind schedule, with a deadline linked to the use of PNRR funds in June 2026.
Looking ahead, if schedules are maintained, some projects will be completed this year. However, 2025 will primarily focus on the continuation of works already in progress. It's from 2026 that many infrastructure systems are expected to reach completion.
In an effort to keep the focus on ongoing projects, the Veneto industrial system has asked for the monitoring of six new works to be included in the next edition of the Observatory. These include the New Romea Commercial connecting Ravenna and Mestre, the Valdastico Nord (A31 extension), the strengthening of the Veneto Pedemontana superhighway, the A13 motorway, and the completion of the regional road connecting Carceri, in Padua, with Legnago, in Verona. Further attention will be given to the redevelopment and expansion of Verona Catullo Airport's passenger terminal, which should be completed in time for the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Raffaele Boscaini, president of Confindustria Veneto, commented, "We are following the works related to Milan-Cortina 2026 particularly closely, which are progressing according to the planned schedules. We remain confident that these infrastructures will be completed within the specified timeframes. We also hope that the works for the vital conduit represented by the Longarone bypass will commence by the end of the year."
The Tav is making headway on the Brescia-Verona and Verona-Padova sections, included in the PNRR. The first lot (Verona-bifurcation Vicenza) is slated for completion by 2026, while the second (Vicenza crossing) will be completed by 2032. However, additional financial resources must still be secured to meet the deadlines, according to the report.
Some projects, such as the speeding up of the Venezia-Trieste, the Brenner base tunnel, the Venice port hub, and the Marco Polo airport passenger terminal in Venice, are progressing as planned. Conversely, the construction of the third lane on the A4 between Quarto D'Altino and Villesse, which straddles Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, has slowed down. For the A22 Brenner's upgrade, we'll have to wait for the outcome of the tender for the renewal of the 50-year concession.
Lastly, the Interporto Quadrante Europa in Verona, Italy's and Europe's first interport, is undergoing development. Work began in December to install a fourth crane in the third module of the terminal, improving loading and unloading efficiency. Subsequent work includes building two new storage tracks, increasing the terminal's operational capacity, and constructing the fourth module, equipped with six European standard 750-meter tracks, to support the anticipated increase in freight traffic due to the opening of the Brenner Base Tunnel. Logistics is an area that Confindustrie of North East are closely watching, as the PNRR itself outlines investments aimed at new models and platforms for handling goods, aiming to increase efficiency and sustainability.
In the effort to monitor ongoing projects closely, the Veneto industrial system has requested the inclusion of six new works in the next edition of the Observatory, such as the New Romea Commercial connecting Ravenna and Mestre and the redevelopment and expansion of Verona Catullo Airport's passenger terminal. Other sports, like the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, are progressing according to the planned schedules, with the focus remaining on their completion within the specified timeframes.
