The Italian city of Genoa is benefiting from a new road and tunnel connection costing nearly €1 billion. The route will link the San Benigno interchange in the west of the city with the Foce district located in the east. This will run under the city at a maximum depth of 45m. The latest decision is that the project will include an intermediate exit for the city centre.
The client for the project is Autostrade per l’Italia (Aspi) and of note is that the tunnel will be driven using a large diameter TBM, with precast lining segments being used to secure the bores. The alignment is a 4.2km route, with the twin tunnels measuring 3.4km and featuring bores of 16m, allowing twin lanes in either direction and top speeds of up to 70km/h. The bores will have the largest diameters of an subsea tunnel in Europe and the project is due for completion in 2029.
The dual tube tunnel is being designed by Renzo Piano, who previously designed the new Genoa San Giorgio Bridge that spans the Polcavera River, replacing the failed Morandi Bridge.
