BESIX, in partnership with its Italian partner DONATI, is pleased to announce a significant milestone in the Valfabbrica project: the breakthrough of the first diaphragm wall in the Picchiarella tunnel.
The Valfabbrica project involves the doubling of 3.1 kilometres of State Road 318, a pivotal infrastructure initiative commissioned by the Italian Highway Authority, ANAS S.p.A. The Valfabbrica project is vital for the region, significantly improving connectivity and traffic flow between the cities of Perugia and Ancona. State Road 318 serves as a crucial east-west axis in Italy, traversing the picturesque Umbria countryside and passing through Valfabbrica, after which the project is named.
Key features of this project include the Casacastalda and Picchiarella tunnels, the Calvario bridge, and the Tre Vescovi viaduct.
On 1 August 2024, a major milestone was celebrated in the construction of the Picchiarella tunnel. The breakthrough of the first diaphragm marked the point where excavation work from both the inside and outside of the tunnel converged. This symbolic event was attended by the Minister of Transport, Matteo Salvini, along with numerous officials and representatives from the joint venture.
The Picchiarella tunnel, spanning a total length of 874 meters, includes 688 meters of underground excavation and 186 meters constructed using the classical cut-and-cover method. The tunnel is divided into two sections: the Ancona side (370 meters) and the Perugia side (320 meters). Achieving this milestone has taken 20 months.
Following the diaphragm breakthrough, the next phases will involve completing the concrete lining, finalising the external cut-and-cover sections, and filling the tunnel with appropriate materials for the road foundation. Additional tasks will include sewer installations, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) works, asphalting, and road signalisation.
Looking ahead, a similar milestone is anticipated for the Castalda tunnel, which extends 1,545 meters, between March and May 2025, depending on ground conditions.
Awarded in 2021, the Valfabbrica project has progressed steadily and is on track for completion in 2025. This project showcases BESIX's commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure and underscores the company's expertise in complex tunnel construction and large-scale engineering projects.
In the same vein, ANAS S.p.A. had awarded a new contract to BESIX in its partner DONATI in November 2023 for the Design and Build of a road connection of 3.3 km, including two tunnels with a total length of 1,120 m and a viaduct of 285 m, connecting the international port of Ancona to the Strada Statale 16.
