The Avena Viaduct reaches 72 metres in height. It is entirely built in steel and represents the most important "overpass" engineering and architectural work of the entire project 

To build the Third Megalot, 1,200 people and over 800 supply chain companies engaged as of today since works started 

Works will contribute to transforming the Ionian Corridor into a strategic infrastructure that will connect the Ionian coasts of Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia

Milan, January 28, 2025 - Works of the Third Megalot construction site of the Ionian National Road (SS 106) in Calabria that Webuild is building on behalf of ANAS (FS Italiane Group), and that as of today have reached 67% of the total work advancement, continue rapidly. Currently, the Avena Viaduct is being built, which is the most significant engineering and architectural "overpass" work of the entire project.

After the first of the two "V-shaped" piers, part of the Avena Viaduct, were raised at height last December, the deck is now being pushed, a technique used when the piers reach important heights. It allows the work to be built by progressively pushing the deck forward, section after section, using specific “pushing” instruments. The totally-steel-made Avena Viaduct (72 metres high and approx. 660 metres long) is being raised between the two municipalities of Albidona and Amendolara. Its deck is made with 4.7-metre-high beams, placed in a continuous manner along the entire structure. They rest on the two abutments of the viaduct and on the four piers.

The Avena Viaduct is expected to be completed by 2025. While, by the end of this summer, the excavation of the Trebisacce natural tunnel (approx. 3.3 km long, double barrel, per direction) will also be completed. Excavation and lining works for the other 10 artificial tunnels to build along the route where the excavation of the Roseto 1 natural tunnel (last May) and of the Roseto 2 natural tunnel section has already been completed, are currently ongoing.  

The Third Megalot is the main work to be built along the section in Calabria of the Ionica National Road. The project foresees a section measuring 38 km in length, on two different lanes, including 14 natural and artificial tunnels, measuring 10 km in total, and 7 km of viaducts. The section develops in the province of Cosenza, between Sibari and Roseto Capo Spulico, passing through towns of the "Alto Jonio Cosentino" like Cassano All’Ionio, Francavilla Marittima, Cerchiara di Calabria, Villapiana, Trebisacce, Albidona, Amendolara and Roseto Capo Spulico. The section foresees 4 road intersections (Sibari, Cerchiara-Francavilla, Trebisacce and Roseto) that will ensure a connection with the existing road network, and between the coast and the inland territory.

The work will contribute to connecting the Ionian coasts of Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia, improving the access of many coastal towns and connecting the A14 and A2 motorways, benefiting in terms of reduced travel times. Some 1,200 people are currently involved in the project (directly and indirectly hired), with a supply chain that since works began has reached over 880 companies (of which 45% from Calabria), which include direct suppliers and sub-suppliers. 

The Third Megalot project is one of the 19 construction sites that Webuild is managing in the South of Italy and that will contribute to providing the South of the nation with modern and sustainable works. Like the high-speed railway line that, after the Naples-Bari section, is destined to reaching Calabria; or the Palermo-Catania-Messina high-capacity railway route: Webuild projects in the South of Italy, as of today, include over 8,000 people (direct and third-party personnel). Since works began, 4,300 companies have been engaged in these projects.